The Indian Ministry of Defence, in response to an inquiry from the Rajya Sabha, has revealed plans to disband certain military cantonments in the country. The motive behind this move is to streamline municipal laws governing civil areas within cantonments and nearby State Municipal areas. The intention is to merge the civil areas of specific cantonments with neighboring municipalities, aiming for greater administrative consistency.
Disbanding of Military Cantonments – Rajyasabha
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 377
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24th July, 2023
DISBANDING OF MILITARY CANTONMENTS
377 DR. V. SIVADASAN:
Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has any plan to disband Cantonments in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any Cantonment has been disbanded or converted into military stations;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether there is any restriction on real estate companies taking over Cantonment land after it getting disbanded?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a) & (b): In order to bring uniformity in municipal laws governing civil areas of cantonments and adjoining State Municipal areas, it has been decided to consider excision of civil areas of certain Cantonments and merge them with neighboring municipalities. Accordingly, broad modalities for proposed excision have been shared with concerned State Governments for their comments.
(c) & (d): One Cantonment namely, Khas Yol has been de-notified w.e.f 27.04.2023.
(e): As per sub-section (1) of Section 7 Cantonments Act, 2006, whenever any local area forming part of a cantonment ceases to be under the control of a particular Board and is immediately placed under the control of some other local authority, such portion of the cantonment fund or the cantonment development fund and other property vesting in the Board and such portion of the liabilities of the Board, as the Central Government may, by general or special order, direct, shall be transferred to that other local authority.
Source: Rajya Sabha
