Question : Lease of Defence Land

(a) whether tardy implementation of rules to renew lease of defence land in number of cases has resulted in a loss of thousands of crores of rupees as revenue to the exchequer;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the reasons for non-renewal and non-realisation of rental of defence land in large number of cases for several years; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government for proper maintenance of records regarding execution of lease deals and timely renewal of lease in order to avoid revenue losses to the exchequer?

MINISTER OF STATE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) to (d): Defence lands in Cantonments have been given on lease under the provisions of the Cantonment Code, 1899, 1912 and Cantonment Land Administration Rules (CLAR), 1925 & 1937. These leases were given long time back, either in perpetuity or for fixed terms. Lease rent and premium (wherever applicable) for these leases were fixed, at that point of time based on the prevalent land value. There are a number of leases which have expired and difficulties have been encountered in their timely renewal on account of absence of renewal application with full documentation, violation of lease terms, non-mutation due to disputes etc. There is no permanent financial loss to the Government, as the ex-lessees will be required to pay arrears of rent, at the time of renewal of leases. Instructions have been issued to either renew the leases, in a time bound manner or cancel the same. Record management of field offices of Defence Estates Department has also been strengthened, with a view to improving land management, including management of leases.
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