The matter came up for discussion at the board meeting on Saturday. The MIDC had sent a letter to the board in May, 1998 imposing a fine of 13.14 lakh since the board had not repaired the water meter for over six months. Since the cantonment board failed to pay this amount, the fine amount increased to Rs 14 lakh this year. The DCB had earlier paid a fine of Rs 27 lakh to the MIDC in April 1988 for similar reasons.

Cantonment executive officer Pandurang Vitthal stated that the board was not at fault because they had no idea that the meter was not working. We came to know of this at a very belated stage, he said. The board, however, has decided not to pay the amount and instead sought a total waiver of the fine from the MIDC.