No Merger of Pune and Khadki Cantonment Boards in First Phase of Cantonment Board Merger

Pune, 18th July 2023: In the initial phase of the merger of Cantonment Boards with local self-government bodies, a total of 23 Cantonment Boards across the country are slated for integration. However, the central government has yet to make a decision regarding the larger Cantonment Boards in terms of their size and jurisdiction. As a result, the Pune Cantonment and Khadki Cantonment Boards will not be merged with municipal bodies.

Officials and employees of the Cantonment Board have suggested that the Dehuroad Cantonment Board should be merged with the nearest municipal corporation (PCMC) as part of the first phase. The committee appointed by the Ministry of Defence is currently engaged in discussions and examining the merger of Cantonment Boards with local self-government bodies.

The merger process will be carried out in a phased manner, beginning with Cantonment Boards that have smaller areas. Out of the 62 Cantonment Boards in the country, 23 have relatively smaller jurisdictions. These boards primarily consist of privately owned land, with a lesser number of army establishments. Hence, it is deemed more feasible to merge these smaller Cantonment Boards with local self-government bodies, such as municipalities.

However, the committee appointed by the central government has not yet approached the Pune Cantonment and Khadki Cantonment Boards regarding their merger. The major Cantonment Boards, including Pune, Khadki, Lucknow, Delhi, Jabalpur, Mahu, Jalandhar, and Chennai, have not been contacted by the Defence Ministry Committee. Therefore, officials and employees of the Cantonment Board believe that the merger of these larger boards with municipal corporations is unlikely to happen at this stage.

Pune and Khadki Cantonment Boards encompass a significant number of military installations and possess substantial land and infrastructure. The merger of these boards could potentially impact the social rights of residents. As a result, officials and employees contend that the merger of Pune and Khadki Cantonment Boards is currently not feasible.

While the merger of smaller Cantonment Boards progresses in the first phase, the complexities surrounding the merger of larger boards across the country remain under scrutiny.