Land portions from 10 cantonment boards to be merged with concerned State local bodies

Posted 08 Apr 2024

2 min read

Military areas within cantonments will be converted into “exclusive military stations” with complete army control.

Reasons for Move
- Undo the colonial legacy, and usher in governance reforms.
- Civilians living in cantonments will get access to more welfare schemes of the
  respective state governments.
- Help defense forces focus on strengthening their security, simplifying their land
  management, and preventing encroachments.
- Reduce the strain on the annual defense budget.

About Cantonments
- An area where military troops are garrisoned and is primarily dedicated to housing soldiers. However, civilian populations are also present.
- Genesis: Established by East India Company after the battle of Plassey in 1757.
- Barrackpore (Calcutta) was the first Cantonment established in 1765.
  - Currently, there are 61 cantonments in India (6 established after independence).
- Administration: Local self-government of the cantonments is the subject matter of
  the Union Government (Entry 3 of Union List).
- Cantonments are administered under the Cantonments Act, 2006 in accordance with the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act.
- Cantonments are administered by Cantonment Boards, which perform civic duties such as providing public health, water supply, primary education, etc.
  - Under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
  - Cantonment’s Station Commander is the Board’s ex-officio President.

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