Nerys D?az, proprietor of the Miss DR franchise, said the Ministry of Tourism has gone public unauthorizing the elected queen because she did not pay the Ministry RD$200,000 as requested. She argues that the Ministry of Tourism cannot levy this charge. She said in 1996 to avoid controversy over the pageant, she agreed to the payment. But at the time, the Ministry committed to carry out efforts to secure air tickets and prizes for the candidates in subsequent pageant years. Gatsby Dominicana, Mrs. D?az’s company, never heard from the Ministry again. Mrs. D?az said her company is authorized to elect the Dominican representative to the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. The Ministry of Tourism bases its claim on Decree 355-93 that grants the Ministry the responsibility for the organization of all pageants. The decree states that the Ministry can delegate temporarily the organization of these events. The price: RD$200,000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nerys D?az, proprietor of the Miss DR franchise, said the Ministry of Tourism has gone public unauthorizing the elected queen because she did not pay the Ministry RD$200,000 as requested. She argues that the Ministry of Tourism cannot levy this charge. She said in 1996 to avoid controversy over the pageant, she agreed to the … <\/p>\n