The Defence Ministry has ordered the dissolution of all 62 cantonment boards, including Belgaum’s, by the end of 2024. This decision aims to convert these areas into military stations and incorporate civilian areas into local municipal bodies, such as the City Corporation in Belgaum.
Released on Friday, this directive seeks to modernize military infrastructure while improving urban governance. It follows continued lobbying from local advocacy groups and politicians and aims to resolve longstanding challenges related to insufficient municipal services in civilian areas, often constrained by financial limitations.
Retired Major General Harsha Kakar commented that the initiative aims to enhance management and security within military stations, while enabling civilian areas to receive better governance under state-level municipal authorities.
The central government is accelerating the process of segregating civilian areas from defense zones. Ownership rights to assets in 13 military cantonments will be transferred to local municipalities. While military stations will continue under the control of the armed forces, areas outside these stations will be transferred to the state government.
In a communication addressed to the cantonments, the government provided comprehensive instructions for the separation of civilian areas and their integration into state municipalities. These guidelines were established during a session overseen by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane last week.
“The ownership rights over all assets designated for delivering civic amenities and municipal services in the separated area will be transferred to the State Government or State Municipalities at no charge. The assets and liabilities of the Cantonment Boards will be transferred to the State Municipality,” the letter explained.
The government will maintain ownership rights where relevant. The letter also noted, “Municipalities will have the authority to levy local taxes/fees within these areas under their jurisdiction. However, security considerations of the Armed Forces will take precedence in situations where the division of privately owned lands affects the security of Military Stations. These cases will be evaluated individually.”
Currently, India has 62 designated cantonments covering 1.61 lakh acres, where all civilian and municipal functions are overseen by military cantonment boards.
