Lok Sabha Question No. 193 (STARRED), answered on 2022-07-29
Subject: Election to Councillors of Cantonment Boards
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Krupal Balaji Tumane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 193

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  July, 2022

## ELECTION TO COUNCILLORS OF CANTONMENT BOARDS

*193. SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  decision  on  the  election  of  councillors  of  the cantonment  boards  as  even  the  extended  tenure  of  the  councillors  of  all  the  cantonment boards of the country ended in February, 2021;
- (b) if so, the time by which the election is likely to be held
- (c) the reasons for not holding the elections in the cantonment boards so far;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to merge the cantonment boards into nearby municipal corporation, if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government has received any proposal to amend the administrative structure of the cantonment boards, if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government on such proposals?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE

(a) to (e):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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(SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (e)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 193 FOR ANSWER ON 29.07.2022 REGARDING 'ELECTION TO COUNCILLORS OF CANTONMENT BOARDS'.

(a) to (c):  The Government proposes to amend the Cantonments Act, 2006 by incorporating provisions for imparting, inter-alia, greater democratisation to Cantonment Boards including direct  election  of  Vice-President.  The  draft  Bill  in  this  regard  is  under  finalization.  The elections to Cantonment Boards are proposed to be held thereafter.

The present status of all the 62 Cantonment Boards is as under:

| Number of Boards                                  | Date of expiry of tenure                                        |
|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 56 Cantonment Boards                              | 10.08.2022 (varied w.e.f 11.02.2022 for a period of six months) |
| 03 Cantonment Boards (Jammu, Badamibagh& Ramgarh) | 02.12.2022 (varied w.e.f 03.06.2022 for a period of six months) |
| 01 Cantonment Board (Meerut)                      | 12.01.2023 (varied w.e.f 13.07.2022 for a period of six months) |
| 01 Cantonment Board (Pachmarhi)                   | 29.11.2023 (normal tenure)                                      |
| 01 Cantonment Board (Khasyol)                     | 05.12.2022 (varied w.e.f 06.12.2021 for a period of one year)   |

- (d):  A framework for excision of civil areas of certain Cantonments and to merge them with neighbouring  State  municipalities  is  under  consultation  with  concerned  States.  This  will provide uniformity in local governance and greater ease of living for citizens in the process.
- (e):  Several suggestions were received from public representatives and general public on the administrative structure of the Cantonment Boards in pursuance of notice inviting suggestions  for  amending  the  Cantonments  Act,  2006.  The  suggestions  mainly  pertain  to direct election of Vice-President, empowerment of Civil Area Committee, financial powers to Vice-President, power to vary the constitution of Boards, power to suspend decisions of the Board.

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