Denotification of Civil Areas in Cantonments

Denotification of Civil Areas in Cantonments

News: Recently, the Centre issued a notification to denotify civil areas of 10 out of 58 cantonments in the country.

What next?
 They will now be merged with the respective state municipalities or local bodies. 

What are Cantonments?
 Cantonments are designated areas primarily for housing military personnel and supporting infrastructure, evolving from temporary military encampments to semi-permanent settlements over time.
 The first cantonment to be established in India was back in 1765 at Barrackpore near Calcutta.
 Cantonments serve as accommodations for military troops and their families, providing various facilities such as offices, schools, and logistic services.

How are cantonments administered in India?
 Cantonments in India are classified into four categories (class I to class IV) based on size and population, with varying numbers of elected civilians and government/military members on the cantonment board.
 Composition: The cantonment board, responsible for administration, comprises elected civilians, government/military members, with the station commander serving as the ex-officio president, and an officer from the Defence Estates Organisation as the chief executive and member-secretary.
 Central Administration: Cantonment administration is controlled by an inter-services organization of the Ministry of Defence, with urban self-governance falling under the jurisdiction of the Union of India as per the Constitution.

About administrative structure and regulation
 Central Level: The Ministry of Defence oversees cantonment boards, while the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs handle urban governance and municipal corporations in Union Territories, respectively.
 State Level: Urban governance is part of the state list under the Constitution, with the establishment of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) empowered by the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992.

What is the need for merging cantonments with municipalities?
 Civilians of cantonment areas have long expressed dissatisfaction with different restrictions imposed by cantonment boards, such as limited access to home loans and restricted movement within the premises.
 Integration of civilian areas into municipal governance can lead to enhanced civic amenities and infrastructural development, offering residents a greater say in local governance matters.

What are the issues in merging cantonments with municipalities?
 The transition may pose various legal and administrative hurdles, including the integration of infrastructure systems like roads, water supply, sewage, and electricity.
 The sudden inclusion of cantonment areas into Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) may strain existing infrastructure.
 Proximity of civilian areas to military installations raises security concerns, necessitating adherence to security guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety of military personnel and assets.