Pune Cantonment Board gets grant-in-aid of Rs 20 crore; officials stress need for stable revenue sources

PCB sources, however, say this grant-in-aid would last for just two to three months and that efforts are being made to submit proposals that can ensure a fair amount of revenue generation for the board. Over the years, the PCB has been struggling financially since the local body tax, which was a source of revenue, was phased out to be replaced by the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The Maharashtra Government has yet to pay the PCB its share, which amounts to more than Rs 300 crore, said Atul Gaikwad, a former vice-president of the board. He added that Girish Bapat, a senior BJP leader and then Pune MP, had intervened in the matter, following which Gaikwad and others filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court on his instructions. The issue has been ongoing since 2017.

During the Covid period, some interim orders were passed, leading to the release of partial funds.

However, according to officials, the main source of revenue is from its properties in the cantonment area. The board has also had to reach out to private players and forge public-private partnerships to ensure the smooth functioning of its hospital facilities and others.

Meanwhile, development works have taken a backseat with delays in embarking on projects like the construction of multi-level parking at specific areas in the cantonment, remodelling and improvement of the sewage system in areas like Ghorpuri and Wanowrie, among others.

Meanwhile, the Khadki Cantonment Board has not asked for any grant.

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