Cantonments Across India Revise Decades-Old Bylaws; Arbitrary Intervention by PD Office Sparks Public Outrage
Pune, 16th April 2025: In a major reform initiative, cantonments across Maharashtra and several other parts of India recently undertook the long-overdue revision of building bylaws, many of which dated back 60 to 70 years. This extensive exercise was carried out under the directions of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which had clearly instructed all cantonments to engage expert agencies for the task. Following thorough consultations and technical assessments, these revised bylaws were approved by the respective Cantonment Boards and subsequently submitted to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) through the Principal Director (PD) office for final clearance.
The move was widely welcomed by residents of cantonment areas, who appreciated the modernization of outdated norms that had failed to reflect present-day aspirations and urban development trends.
However, this wave of optimism has taken a sharp downturn. Recently, the Principal Director Office in Pune reportedly returned several of the revised bylaws to the respective Boards in southern and central India, citing the need for reconsideration of multiple clauses—particularly those that were perceived to benefit the general public.
A retired Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticized the move, stating, “In case of disagreement, the PD office was expected to forward the bylaws to the GOC-in-C with its recommendations. Returning them to the Boards for alteration defeats the entire process and undermines the expert inputs involved.”
Sources allege that the PD Office acted in a rushed and opaque manner, pressuring the Boards to carry out the modifications swiftly and in line with its written instructions, effectively overriding the authority of the Boards.
Meanwhile civil rights activists have stated, “The Boards acted responsibly after consulting expert agencies and considering the needs of residents. The PD Office’s use of arbitrary powers to override these decisions is not just undemocratic—it’s legally questionable.”
The decision has reportedly sparked anger among residents, many of whom are now calling for fast-track excision of civilian areas from military control, a demand that has gained momentum in recent years.
“This arbitrary intervention by the PD Office of Southern Command has derailed a much-needed reform that had generated genuine goodwill,” said a local resident. “It is now crucial that the Ministry of Defence steps in to prevent this bureaucratic overreach from nullifying the hard work and aspirations of thousands of residents.”
The Ministry of Defence is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
