Pune: The Government has issued new guidelines for the merger of cantonment boards into civil areas in several cities, including Ahmednagar, Ajmer, Aurangabad, Babina, Belgaon, Kannur, Deolali, Kamthi, Khadki, Morar, Nasirabad, Pune, Sagar, and Secunderabad.

The Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE) has issued these new guidelines for the excision of civil areas from the limits of Cantonment Boards, following a meeting chaired by the Defence Secretary on June 25, 2024.

The key points of the guidelines are:

• Transfer of Proprietary Rights: All assets meant for providing civic amenities and municipal services in the excised areas will be transferred to the State Government/State Municipalities free of cost.

• Transfer of Assets and Liabilities: The assets and liabilities of the Cantonment Boards will be handed over to the State Municipalities.

• Municipal Control over Leased Properties: Control over leased and old grant properties in the excised areas will be transferred to the State Municipalities.

The guidelines stipulate that proprietary rights over assets used for municipal services and civic amenities will be transferred free of cost to the State Municipality.

The jurisdiction of the State Municipality will extend to the entire civil areas of the Cantonments, excluding Military Stations. The Government of India will retain title rights over land it owns.

Local municipal laws and taxes will apply to these areas, while ensuring the security concerns of the Armed Forces are prioritized. In cases where privately held lands, such as agricultural leases, impact the security of Military Stations, these will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Officials are directed to liaise with State Government officials, appraise them of the status as mentioned in the meeting minutes, clarify any doubts, and issue necessary amendments to the excision proposal shared with the State Government, as per the decisions taken in the meeting held on June 25, 2024.