Modalities for excision of civilian areas under review: MoD
The Ministry of Defence on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that six cantonments in Himachal Pradesh have been identified where the civilian areas would be excluded from the control of the cantonment boards.
The cantonment boards function under the Directorate General, Defence Estates (DGDE). The MoD has a standing policy to carve out the civilian areas from British-era Cantonments and hand over the services to the states where these cantts are located. The MoD would retain control of areas that are being used by the forces.
“The excision of civil areas from the limits of all 6 cantonments in the state of Himachal Pradesh and the modalities for excision is under consideration in consultation with all stakeholders,” the MoD said in written reply to Dr Sikandar Kumar, a BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh.
The MoD also informed the House that the state government wrote a letter in November 2024 saying it would require a special grant-in-aid from the Ministry to meet the liabilities of Cantonment Board employees pensioners and that this aspect may be taken into consideration while taking a decision on excision of civil areas of cantonments.
At present the Cantonment Boards under the MoD provide various civic services to the residents including water supply, sanitation, roads, street lights, schools and hospitals, besides executing various welfare schemes including centrally sponsored schemes. Moreover, online services through ‘e-Chhawani’ portal like public grievances redressal, building plans approval, trade license, water connections, water billing, sewage connections, birth and death certificates, property tax collection, OPD registration, Community Hall booking, Water Tanker Booking, Shop rent collection etc are also provided to the civilians residing in Cantonments.
Once these areas are handed over to the state the services and expenses of those would have to be borne by the state and not the MoD.