Defense Ministry Issues Guidelines for Merging Cantonment Boards with Local Civil Bodies

Pune/New Delhi, 9th July 2024: The central government has announced the merger of various Cantonment Boards with urban municipal areas, marking a significant shift in the administration of these regions. The new guidelines, issued by the Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE) following a meeting chaired by the Defence Secretary, outline the process for integrating Cantonment Boards with local municipalities and state governments in cities such as Ahmednagar, Ajmer, Aurangabad, Babina, Belgaum, Kannur, Deolali, Kamptee, Khadki, Morar, Nasirabad, Pune, Sagar, and Secunderabad.
Under these new guidelines, the ownership of properties managed by the Cantonment Boards, which are used to provide municipal services and civic amenities, will be transferred to the respective state municipalities or local bodies at no cost. The territorial jurisdiction of these state municipalities will extend beyond the military stations to encompass the entire civilian areas of the cantonments. The Central Government will retain ownership rights over land where it currently has jurisdiction.
The primary changes introduced by the new guidelines include:
1. Merger with Municipalities and State Governments: Cantonment areas will be merged with the municipal corporations of the respective states, bringing them under the jurisdiction of the state government.
2. Transfer of Assets and Liabilities: All assets and liabilities of the Cantonment Boards will be transferred to the state government.
3. Control Over Contracted Properties: Municipal corporations will gain control over properties currently under contract within the cantonment areas.
4. Jurisdiction and Applicable Laws: The merged cantonment areas will now be subject to municipal and state government rules and laws. However, areas under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence or where the Ministry functions will be excluded from this merger.
These changes aim to streamline the governance of civilian areas within cantonments, making municipal services more accessible and efficient for residents. The state municipalities will also be empowered to levy local taxes on these areas, integrating them more fully into the urban administrative framework.
Affected Cantonment Boards:
– Ahmednagar
– Ajmer
– Aurangabad
– Babina
– Belgaum
– Kannur
– Deolali
– Kamptee
– Khadki
– Morar
– Nasirabad
– Pune
– Sagar
– Secunderabad