Why it’s best to say ‘can’t’ to abolishing Cantts

Ambika Sharma

With convoluted cantonment bylaws causing a plethora of hardships to the civilians residing in these quaint towns, a demand to abolish the cantonment boards by repealing the Cantonment Act 2006 is being raised by residents.

The move, if implemented, will be a double-edged sword, which can also open the floodgates for crass commercialisation of these pristine hill stations, which still retain their old world charm. Set up during the British era for quartering their troops with housing being the key objective, these cantonments also house a major chunk of civilian population.

Himachal has seven of the 62 cantonment towns in the country, which include Kasauli, Subathu, Dagshai, Jutogh, Yol, Dalhousie and Bakloh. The stringent building bylaws have stunted growth in these towns with a growth rate of mere 13.79 per cent being recorded in the most popular town of Kasauli. A majority of these towns have recorded low growth rate ranging from -8.99 to 27.13 per cent as per the 2001 Census. Only  Subathu and Jutogh Cantonments have witnessed higher growth rates of 54.56 per cent and 47.74 per cent, respectively.  

While the key hill stations of Manali, Dharamsala and Shimla among others have been transformed into concrete jungles owing to unregulated commercialisation, a similar plight could befall these towns if these restrictions are eased. The move was also inimical to the interest of the defence forces as their troops, equipment, vehicles, barracks, etc., are housed in these cantonments.

An illustration of how unregulated constructions have played havoc in the hill towns was visible with 13 unauthorised hotels being demolished in the precincts of Kasauli Cantonment, following the directions of the apex court last year. These structures had been raised in violation of the norms in the vicinity of Kasauli as fresh sale and purchase of land in the cantonment was not permissible.

At a time when the hills have been robbed off walking paths with concrete buildings dotting the landscape, the well-maintained cobbled streets of the cantonments are a treat to walk. It is the emerald green hue and unblemished aura of Kasauli and other cantonment towns, which has been attracting tourists from far and wide. The pollution-free ambience and its clean environs are the other advantages that serve as an ideal place to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city. The cantonments command a high value for their unblemished aura, but the danger of unchecked commercialisation would loom large if the cantonment boards are abolished.

Civilians at a loss

On the flip side, the civilian population residing here is bereft of the benefits of various state and Central government schemes. With the cantonment boards having no norm to define a family lying below the poverty line or even maintaining parivar register, which can trace a resident’s existence here, residents feel it is unfair to deprive them of government schemes.

Apart from basic issues such as closure of certain  roads in cantonments, issues pertaining to the Works of Defence Act, 1903, inordinate delay in transfer and mutation of properties held on old grant or lease, sub-division and change of purpose, resumption of properties held on old grant, renewal of expired leases, conversion of old grant or leasehold sites in civil areas of the cantonments into freehold and restriction on construction of building were some of the key issues which the civil population has been battling since decades.

Civilians feel that taking a holistic view of the problems plaguing those residing in cantonments, so that their basic needs were met, was the need of the hour.

Devinder Gupta, vice-president, Cantonment Board, Kasauli, said: “Since space is scarce in cantonments easing building restrictions will no way cause unregulated commercialisation. Rather, it will facilitate people in carrying out need-based modifications in their house, which becomes imminent as the family size grows after a few years.” He said key issues such as scarcity of water, which has become a perennial problem, has failed to be solved and the quantum of water released to the civilian population has been declining over the years. Lack of expansion of the healthcare facilities and higher education were the other woes residents have been facing since decades now. 

The officials of the state government have their limitations while dealing with cantonments and residents are forced to fend for themselves. He lamented that several social welfare schemes of the state and Centre meant to uplift the below poverty line population has failed to benefit the cantonment residents and facilities such as subsidised ration shops were not available to residents.

Demanding parity in other issues such as house and water tax vis-à-vis other civic bodies of the state as well as allowances granted to the elected members, residents feel they were at a disadvantage while residing in cantonments. Not only this, despite civilian members being part of the cantonment board, inordinate delay in executing developmental works despite passing resolutions in the board meetings was another cause of concern. The failure to redress their grievances in time was causing anguish among them.  

Dinesh Kumar Gupta, vice-president, Subathu CB, said at times resolutions passed by the members are not implemented for years and even emergency works such as purchasing fire tenders, upgrade of cantonment hospital etc., did not figure in the priority list of the board.

Keeping in view the hardships faced by residents,   Member Parliament from Shimla Lok Sabha, Virender Kashyap, has sought the abolition of the cantonment boards by repealing the Cantonment Act, 2006. In a representation to an expert committee constituted to examine the working of the cantonment boards in the count, Kashyap said: “The population residing in various cantonments of his constituency such as Kasauli, Dagshai and Jutogh should be brought under the civil administration.”

Residents saw some hope, when for the first time, the civilian presidents and vice-presidents of all cantonment boards were invited for a meeting with the Central authorities in Delhi last year, where they aired their grievances. An expert committee has been set up by the Directorate General of Defence Estate to study the working of all cantonment boards, which were set up during the British Raj and residents were hopeful that their long-standing problems would be solved. 

7 of 62 cantonment towns in state

Himachal has seven of the 62 cantonment towns in the country, which include Kasauli, Subathu, Dagshai, Jutogh, Yol, Dalhousie and Bakloh. The stringent building bylaws have stunted growth in these towns with a growth rate of mere 13.79 per cent being recorded in the most popular town of Kasauli. While the key hill stations of Manali, Dharamsala and Shimla among others have been transformed into concrete jungles, a similar plight could befall these towns if these restrictions are eased.