The long-awaited merger of civil areas in Secunderabad Cantonment with GHMC has finally come to an end. The Ministry of Defence issued an order on Saturday stating that all 61 Cantonments across India will merge their civil areas into Municipalities.
In a meeting held on June 25, it was decided that the propriety rights over assets meant for providing civic amenities and municipal services in the excised area will be transferred to the State Government/State Municipalities free of cost. The assets and liabilities of the Cantonment Boards will also be transferred to the State municipality.
During the meeting, it was clarified that the propriety rights over assets of the Cantonment Board meant for providing municipal services and civic amenities will be transferred free of cost to the State Municipality/local body. The territorial jurisdiction of the State Municipality will be extended to the entire civil areas of the Cantonments, excluding the Military Station.
The confusion among locals was cleared as it was announced that the entire civil areas will be handed over to the State municipality where local municipal laws will be applicable. The State civic body will have the authority to impose local taxes/fees over such areas under its jurisdiction, while still prioritizing the security concerns of the Armed forces.
Secretary Jeetendra Suran of Secunderabad Cantonment Citizens’ Welfare Association mentioned that even though Secunderabad Cantonment was notified again in September 1951, there is no record of how and when the Government of India acquired rights for occupation of Cantonment lands. Locals believe that all civilian lands should be treated as private and merged with GHMC for better infrastructure and civic amenities in the area.
