Question : UNAUTHORISED USE OF DEFENCE LAND

(a) whether unauthorised use of defence land for other purposes is on rise for quite sometime now;

(b) the area of defence land being used for other purposes, State/U.T.-wise and the quantum of monetary losses being suffered as a result thereof;

(c) the measures proposed to be taken to stop the unauthorised use of land;

(d) whether any responsibility has been fixed on officials for allowing unauthorised use of defence land; and

(e) if so, the details of the guidelines issued, if any, in regard thereto?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) to (e): Instances of use of Defence land for non-defence purposes by Armed Forces have come to the notice of the Government. The nature of diversion of land in these cases is mainly for setting up of welfare centres, hostels, shopping complexes and establishment of schools etc. The matter has already been taken up with the Service HQrs. who are of the view that all these activities were inevitable and done by the respective commanders to meet the needs of the troops and welfare of their families. Notwithstanding this, instructions have been issued to all concerned to immediately freeze the use of defence buildings and lands by various establishments for purposes which are not in consonance with Defence land policy.