NRIs Complain Of Being Taken For A Ride By Punjab Tourism Dept !
While the corporation collected lakhs from NRI’s and people in the name of membership fee but failed to provide the promised facilities, citing financial losses. The corporation also failed to respond to representations from the investors who have been seeking refund of their money. As many as 400 NRI’s from UK, US and Canada paid US $ 1,100 as membership fee.
CHANDIGARH – Several Non-resident Indian (NRIs) have complained to the NRI Commission on being “taken for a ride” by the state tourism department.
They lament that the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation (PDTC), in the name of a good holiday experience, sold membership rights of Holiday Home Club that promised a two-week stay every year at any of its resorts in different parts of the country. The resorts are located at Srinagar, Mussoorie, Shimla, Goa, Dharamshala and Jaipur.
While the corporation collected lakhs from NRI’s and people in the name of membership fee but failed to provide the promised facilities, citing financial losses. The corporation also failed to respond to representations from the investors who have been seeking refund of their money.
As many as 400 NRI’s from UK, US and Canada paid US $ 1,100 as membership fee.
Rather, the state government then decided to disinvest the properties and transfer the share holding of the properties to a private party without taking the stake holders into confidence.
The commission headed by Justice Rakesh Kumar Garg (retd) while hearing the case of Dr Bharat Bhushan observed that the complainants were entitled to refund on their deposits.
“Even the order of the state government for disinvestment of properties without informing the share holders is questionable. The Commission has granted several opportunities to the PTDC to take corrective steps”, observed the Commission. Before passing the final order, the Commission has brought the issue to the notice of the state government.
Ranjana Nawgiri, an NRI, said it shows very poorly on the state government which has been seeking investments in the state. We do not know where we stand in terms of our membership. Queries for refund were never replied.
