Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has been served a legal notice by SKAAH GmbH, a Switzerland-based service provider, over an alleged unpaid bill of ₹1.58 crore. The amount is reportedly due for hospitality services provided to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other officials during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos earlier this year.
Dated August 28, the notice was addressed to multiple entities, including the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), the Chief Minister’s Office, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and the WEF. SKAAH GmbH claims that while the MIDC has settled ₹3.75 crore of the total bill, the remaining ₹1.58 crore remains unpaid despite several reminders.
Responding to the notice, MIDC CEO P. Velrasu stated, “I am not aware of any such notice. However, MIDC will review the vouchers and take necessary action. The matter will be resolved based on its merits at the earliest.”
The expenses related to the Davos trip have drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP MLA Rohit Pawar. They accuse the government of overspending on the event. Pawar expressed concerns that such issues could damage Maharashtra’s reputation at international forums like Davos, which are crucial for attracting global investments.
State Industries Minister Uday Samant confirmed receipt of the legal notice but denied any overspending. “We have not overspent. It is the MVA MLAs who are making these allegations. Our legal team will reply to this notice and investigate the issue,” Samant said.
SKAAH GmbH has warned of potential legal action and stated that the payment delay has caused significant financial harm, affecting their credit and overall financial situation. The company also raised concerns about possible impacts on international relations between India and Switzerland if the matter is not promptly resolved.
