CAG seeks probe into misuse of government buildings by Army

Expressing concern over the "misuse" of powers by local Army Commanders in according sanction for use of government buildings for "non-bona fide" purposes, a CAG report has sought detailed investigation and appropriate action in the matter.
To buttress its point, the CAG report cited the case of a facility in the national capital meant for patients and their attendants related to defence personnel, which has been "unauthorisedly" used to run Army Boys Hostel and a palliative care centre.
It has also highlighted the case of a government building in Pune, which was raised as Junior Commissioned Officers' mess. It was first occupied by Army Wives Welfare Association for use as a girls hostel and then started functioning as a boys hostel, it said, adding that AWWO is a non-government body.

"Despite specific government orders and various CAG reports highlighting such serious irregularities, the local Commanders continued to misuse the delegated powers by according re-appropriation sanctions for use of government buildings for non-bona fide purposes without the Defence Ministry sanction. It warrants detailed investigation and appropriate action," CAG said.
CAG dismissed the reply of Pune Sub Area Headquarter in the case of unauthorised use of JCO's mess that it had received the sanction of the competent authority for reappropriation of the building.
"The reply was factually incorrect as instead of obtaining re-appropriation sanction from the MoD as per rules, the sanction had been obtained from Station Commander, Pune, in May 2007," it said.

In the case of the building in the capital, it was the General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, which accorded sanction for "temporary reappropriation" of the two of three blocks of the accommodation as Army Boys Hostel.