Pune: The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has sent a proposal to the ministry of defence (MoD) seeking financial assistance of Rs 95 crore to tide over its mounting liabilities.The board, responsible for providing essential services to over 70,000 residents in the Cantonment area, grappled with unpaid water charges, electricity bills, and arrears of the pay commission, which are currently being cleared in instalments.PCB officials acknowledged that the board’s financial position has deteriorated sharply in recent years, with routine services such as water supply, sanitation, and timely salary payments facing stress.“We require funds urgently to clear pending dues and maintain essential civic amenities. Without timely intervention, the situation could worsen for residents as well as employees,” a senior PCB official told TOI.The PCB, like other Cantonment boards in India, relies heavily on property tax, service charges, and grants from the defence ministry.The revenue, however, has remained stagnant even as expenditure, particularly on staff salaries and pensions after successive pay commission hikes, surged. In addition, recovery of service charges from central and state govt offices within Cantonment limits has often been delayed, adding to the cash crunch.“We received Rs 4 crore service charges recently from the Army authorities, but the pending amount is in some hundred crores for the last few years,” the official said.“With rising demand for civic services, boards are under pressure to deliver more with limited resources. The MoD has, on occasion, provided additional support, but with multiple boards raising demands simultaneously, meeting all requirements has become challenging,” he said.Local representatives in Pune have urged the defence ministry to prioritise the PCB’s request, citing the large civilian population dependent on the board.“This is not just a matter of clearing bills; it is about safeguarding essential services for lakhs of residents,” said Priyanka Shirigiri, former member of the PCB.PCB officials are hoping for an early release of funds that would provide much-needed relief to its administration and the people it serves.
