Question : MISUSE OF FUNDS IN NASIRABAD CANTONMENT BOARD

(a) whether the accommodation and office buildings of the Executive Officer, Cantonment Board are the property of the CPWD;

(b) if so, the details of the rent deed alongwith the terms and conditions thereof;

(c) whether heavy repair work and construction of a boundary wall in these premises has been carried out involving the cost of 5-6 lakhs of rupees without obtaining the permission of the CPWD authorities; and

(d) if so, the action taken against the erring cantonment officer for misuse of the public funds?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) Since no formal agreement exists on record, no rent is being paid.

(c) & (d): The CPWD has not undertaken any maintenance / repair of the building over a period of time. Hence routine maintenance and repair work of the same is done out of Cantonment Fund to keep it in usable condition. The boundary wall has also been repaired / reconstructed at a cost of Rs. 1,54,800 during the financial year 1999-2000 in the interest of security of the building and the inhabitants.