The Defence Ministry is likely to computerise records of all the 17 lakh acres of land under its possession by the end of this month, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In written reply to a question in the Upper House, Defence Minister A K Antony said, "Computerisation of land records is already going on and is likely to be completed by March 2011. Two projects, one on digitisation of land records and other of survey of defence land using modern technology have been sanctioned recently."

Antony informed the House that action against illegal encroachment on the defence land is taken under the provisions of Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants), Act 1971 as well as under the Cantonments Act 2006.

On No Objection Certificate given by the Defence Ministry, he said, "It has also been decided to review the practice of issuing NOC for construction of buildings on lands adjoining defence lands."

On the probe in the Adarsh society scam, the Minister said, "The preliminary inquiry by Central Bureau of Investigation has been completed. A regular case has been registered by the CBI on January 29 against 13 persons under sections of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act 1988."

"Searches have been conducted at 13 places and large number of documents have been seized. Investigation is in progress and action will be taken on the basis of findings of the investigation." he added.

Antony also replied to the queries on Har-Sidhi Apartment in Mumbai and Navy's objection on it.

"The Har-Sidhi Apartment had not sought NOC from Defence Ministry. However, Indian Navy raised objections on account of security concerns," he said.

"Considering potential threat to the naval Establishment, a case has been filed by the Navy in the Mumbai High Court in October 2010 seeking demolition of the building and the matter is presently sub-judice," he said.

Replying on the status of Kalptaru Society constructed on a defence land in village Akurli near Mumbai, Antony said, "Government has asked Army Headquarters to ascertain either by holding a Court of Inquiry or otherwise as to how Head Quarters Southern Command relinquished claim on the said land." PTI AD