Pune:Additional defence secretary Rakesh Mittal conducted a comprehensive two-day review of the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) earlier this week in a major intervention to address mounting financial distress.The high-level visit comes at a critical time for the board, which has been grappling with a severe fiscal crisis that has left employees without salaries for the past two months.Mittal held detailed discussions with senior board authorities, including the CEO, to assess the depth of the financial shortfall, administrative hurdles, and the progress of essential infrastructure projects.“The CEO and defence estate officials provided a detailed overview of the current situation,” a senior official stated. “The secretary also inspected a multi-storey parking project on Coyaji Road, and visited the Cantonment Hospital to interact with staffers and officials.”Sources indicated that Mittal’s direct assessment will likely lead to recommendations aimed at stabilising the board’s finances and preventing a recurrence of the current crisis.The Ministry of Defence has released Rs53 crore to the board. This allocation is intended to clear salary dues and pension arrears.Mittal also reviewed the status of all 19 cantonment boards under the Southern Command.
