Exploring merger of civil areas in cantonments with municipalities: MoD

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has informed Parliament that it is considering merging the civil areas in cantonments with municipalities in order to bring a more consistent approach to governance. The ministry is also considering excising certain civil areas from the cantonment and merging them with the neighbouring state municipal bodies.

Ajay Bhatt, Minister of State for Defence, submitted a written reply to the Rajya Sabha (RS), which reads, “Accordingly, broad modalities for proposed excision of civil areas in 58 Cantonments have been shared with State governments concerned for their comments.” He also informed that the KhasYol cantonment board has already been de-notified, with effect from April 27, 2023.

However, the excisions of the civil areas and their merger with state municipalities would need active support and consent from the state government. Bhatt said, “Therefore, it is not feasible to provide any time frame for its implementation.” Minister also said that they have received requests from several public and elected representatives along with some state governments to excise civil areas from the jurisdiction of the cantonment boards. He said, “There is no bar on implementation of state government schemes by state governments concerned in Cantonment areas. All state governments are already extending benefit of various schemes to the residents in Cantonments.”