Land portions from 10 cantonment boards to be run by local bodies

Cantonment Boards Land Transfer will reduce the land jurisdiction of 10 key cantonment boards across five states, transferring them to state local bodies.

• Military areas within cantonments will be transformed into “exclusive military stations” under complete army control.

Reason for move:

• The move is part of the Prime Minister’s plan to “undo the colonial legacy” and introduce various governance reforms.
• Previously, civilians in cantonments lacked access to state government welfare schemes via municipalities, but now they’ll be able to avail them.
• Cantonments have become unmanageable, leading to conflicts between military and civilian residents.
• This step will ease strain on the defense budget by reducing the need for developing and maintaining civilian areas within cantonments.
• The Army will be able to focus on the development of military stations “excised” out of cantonments, strengthen their security, simplify their land management and prevent encroachments.

Ref:Source