- By Kamal Kumar
- Sun, 30 Jun 2024 03:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The property rights over civilian areas in 13 cantonments across the country will be handed over to the local municipalities, the Central government has said in a letter to the defence establishments. The areas of military stations will continue to be governed by the armed forces, whereas, the areas outside will be handed over to the state governments. In a letter to the cantonments, the union government has laid out a plan to extirpate the civilian areas from the defence areas and their merger with the local governing bodies of the state.
These guidelines were formulated in a meeting chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane last week, the letter stated. The liabilities associated with these areas will also be transferred to the state governments, the letter stated.
"The propriety rights over all assets meant for providing civic amenities and municipal services in the excised area shall be transferred to State Government/State Municipalities free of Cost Assets & Liabilities of the Cantonment Boards shall be transferred to State Municipality," the letter stated.
However, the letter also stated that the Union Government will retain title rights where applicable. While municipalities will be able to impose local taxes and fees for services in these areas, the priorities will be given to the security concerns of the Armed Forces wherever applicable.
Why Govt Moves To Excise Civilian Areas From Cantonments
Centre has mulled the move to rid the dual rule i.e. Civilian and military, in these areas. The present system, a colonial legacy, deprives the residents of the benefits of some state government schemes. Dual administration also poses governance challenges, such as civic services and infrastructure development.
The issue dates back to 1948, just after the independence when a committee headed by Congress veteran SK Patil recommended the separation of civil areas into six Cantonments. The proposal was junked after the huge public opposition.
The current proposal stems from the same backdrop. The latest move also aims to streamline the assets of the Defence Ministry, which is the largest landowner in the country with over 18 lakh acres under its possession. In the past, reports of routing defence funds for civic purposes surfaced, prompting the government to finally make a move on the issue.