Pune Cantonment Board spots 16 leased out properties under commercial use

According to Cantonment rules and local bylaws, a property can be used for commercial purposes if it is located within the notified civil area of the Cantonment

Shiladitya Pandit
  • Updated On Mar 16, 2016 at 05:06 PM IST

PUNE: The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has identified 16 leased properties being illegally used for commercial purposes.

According to Cantonment rules and local bylaws, a property can be used for commercial purposes if it is located within the notified civil area of the Cantonment. The Cantonment Board is responsible for management of properties inside that area, and also has the power to determine the purpose of usage of these properties. The properties outside this civil area in the Cantonment are under the management of the Defence Estates Officer (DEO) of the circle, but the PCB still needs to permit and approve the purpose of the building being leased out.

PCB officials say none of the 16 properties identified had ever applied for a change of usage, and are either openly used as commercial properties, or are taking advantage of the nature of the lessee.

"We had issued long-term leases to individuals for some bungalows explicitly for residential purposes. But it has come to my notice that a lot of those properties are being operated as commercial properties for decades now, and not much action has been taken against them. We will issue notices to them, and will take them to court and seek prosecution under Section 244 of the Cantonments Act of 2008, which has been clearly violated", said PCB's chief executive officer Sanjeev Kumar.

PCB officials say the violations have been "wide and blatant". "Those who have taken the properties on lease are operating restaurants, hostels, bars, corporate headquarters, nurseries, large fleet garages, and even some prominent clubs. For example, we had issued a licence to a prominent club to occupy a property explicitly for that purpose. But that club seems to be hosting marriages and parties and charging a lot of money,"they say.

D N Yadav, the DEO of Pune circle said, "The onus is on the Board to take the violators to court and impose fines on them, and I believe the PCB is taking a decision in that direction. On my part, I will recommend to the Army and the ministry of defence that all the properties being illegally used for commercial purposes be taken back by the government."

  • Published On Mar 16, 2016 at 05:00 PM IST
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