Fact check: Finance Minister did not make this Budget announcement to lease Taj Mahal to this Hotel, viral claim is fake

New Delhi (Vishvas News). A viral post on social media alleges that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced to lease Taj Mahal to Plaza Hotel New York for 99 years. The post further claims that Taj Mahal is now permitted to host weddings and film shootings. 

Vishvas News investigation revealed the claim is fake. Director General of Media and Communications from the Ministry of Finance & Corporate Affairs refuted the claims. 

Claim

A viral graphic plate allegedly of Puthiyathalaimurai, a regional Tamil Language news channel quotes Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing the lease of Taj Mahal to Plaza Hotel New York for 99 years, further which it will be opened for wedding and film shooting events. 

Investigation

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the blueprint of New India to the country through the budget of 2021-22 on Monday. Setting an unprecedented budget (Union Budget 2021) against the backdrop of the Corona epidemic, Sitharaman has emphasized on employment generation through investment in the healthcare, infrastructure sector, stated an article in the Dainik Jagran.

We also searched for information on the official Union Budget website by accessing the budget speech document. We did not find any authentic sources confirming the viral claim.

Vishvas News contacted Rajesh Malhotra, Director General (Media and Communications), Press Relations & Information Division at the Ministry of Finance & Corporate Affairs through email for verification. “This is absolutely fake,” he replied. 

We also contacted Manoj Prabhakar, Chief of Puthiyathalaimurai web team. He refuted the claims saying their channel has not carried any such news and the graphic plate has been tampered.