Defence Ministry denotifies civil areas of 10 cantonments

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently issued a notification to denotifies civil areas of 10 cantonments across India, merging them with the state municipalities.

• Previously, MoD had urged state governments to consider this merger.

About the Cantonments:

• A cantonment is an area primarily dedicated to housing military troops, evolving to include civilians to provide support and logistic services.
• Civilian rights within cantonments are severely restricted, and these areas, also known as military quarters, include offices, military housing, schools, and defence installations.
• Unlike military stations, which only accommodate armed forces and are established by executive order, cantonments were initially created for the stationing of military personnel.
• The term “cantonment” comes from the French word “canton,” meaning “corner” or “district,” and typically refers to a temporary military or winter encampment.
• The history of cantonments in India dates back to the British East India Company (EIC), with the first cantonment established in 1765 at Barrackpore, near Calcutta, following the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
• The Cantonments Act was promulgated in 1924.

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