PUNE, July 1: The Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) meeting on Monday was adjourned after a stormy debate ensued between the board president Brig Mrinal Suman and the elected members over their clash with the cantonment executive officer (CEO).

This is probably the first time in the history of the KCB that a board meeting had to be adjourned half-way because of the disagreement between the members and cantonment officials.

As the members insisted on details of various administrative matters including purchase and opening of tenders, the furious president asked them, ``I want to find out why the members want to know the details of every purchase made in the office.'' As the members continued their tirade, the president warned them,``I shall adjourn the meeting .''

Not willing to be cowed down the members told him that he could do so following which Brig Suman adjourned the meeting.

The debate was sparked off when one of the members, Prakash Hiwarkar drew the attention of the president to the controversy relating to the opening of tenders. Hiwarkar complained that the CEO had opened tenders in the absence of the elected members after inviting them to the cantonment board office.

``He cannot open the tenders on his own. As per board resolution, two elected members should be present while opening the tenders,'' he argued. When Brig Suman asked Hiwarkar and William Smith if they were present at the appointed room at the correct time, they explained that they had been waiting in the members' chamber for the CEO to call them. This explanation was however, not found plausible by the president.

More debates on the various clauses of the Cantonments' Act followed between the CEO and the members.

When the president realised that the members were in no mood to listen, he told them that they were free to reject the tenders if they so wished.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.