The decision was conveyed to the state government by the Director Defence Estates, who stated that the proposal could not be accepted and that ownership of the land would continue to remain with the MoD.
The excision process in Indian cantonments is an administrative restructuring exercise initiated by the MoD in 2022 to separate civilian areas from military-controlled zones. Under the proposal, military areas would be designated as exclusive military stations, while civilian areas would be merged with neighbouring municipalities or local bodies.
Himachal Pradesh has six cantonments — Subathu, Dagshai and Kasauli in Solan district; Bakloh and Dalhousie in Chamba district; and Jutogh in Shimla district. Unlike military stations, cantonments have civilian populations coexisting with military establishments and were originally set up during the British era to sustain military personnel. Under the ‘old grant’ rules dating back to the British era, civilians residing in cantonments have only occupancy rights over land and buildings, while ownership of the property rests solely with the Centre.
The MoD also rejected the state government’s request for a special financial grant to cater to the increased financial liabilities, stating that the Central Finance Commission already provides grants to cantonment boards.
In November 2024, the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department had written to the MoD, stating that inheriting the six cantonment towns would impose liabilities of nearly Rs 30 crore, while the revenue generated from these areas was only about Rs 5 crore. The state government had argued that assuming such liabilities without central financial assistance would be unsustainable.
Earlier, it had been proposed that the state government would take over the civilian areas along with liabilities related to employees, pensioners and institutions such as schools and hospitals. However, in June 2024, the MoD introduced a provision allowing it to retain ownership rights even after the transfer of assets.
Pertinently, the excising exercise was kick-started in 58 cantonments across the country as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of removing the symbols of colonial legacy by excluding civilian areas from cantonments.
Manmohan Sharma, general secretary, Himachal Cantonments Association, while terming it an unfortunate turn of events said they would plead their case before the Prime Minister and apprise him of the typical scenario of Himachal Pradesh.
These towns, which house a sizeable civilian population, continue to be governed by the Army and Defence Estate Organisations as part of the British colonial legacy. Growth in the cantonment towns has been stunted due to stifling defence norms and residents were deprived of the benefits of various state and central government schemes. Once excised, the civilians will avail benefits of all government schemes besides liberal building bylaws.
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