India, Dec. 14 -- Sir,

I read with keen interest a news report about plans to privatise Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel and hand it over on a 30-year lease ("Lalitha Mahal set for major revival" in SOM dated Dec. 3). Long-awaited, yes - but the moot question is whether JLR is truly willing to let go of its goose that lays golden eggs.

First, one must ask: Who exactly is on this so-called expert committee? The same set of bureaucrats who have little understanding of running a heritage hotel?

Secondly, what are the so-called conditions? The pipelines in the Palace building are decades old and there are no records of their design. They need complete replacement. Do the conditions allow any additional construction without compromising the Palac...