17. If the owner fails to comply with a notice issued under sub-section (1) of section 16, the Military Engineer Services or the Public Works Department may, with the previous sanction of the Officer Commanding the Station and notwithstanding any right of reference conferred by that section, cause the repairs specified in the notice to be executed at the expense of the Government, and the cost thereof, or, where a reference has been made, the amount finally determine by the Civil Court, may be deducted from the rent payable to the owner.