Context:
Ministry of Defence (MoD) denotifies civil areas of 10 cantonments which will be merged with concerned state local bodies
Cantonments:
- Cantonments – An area that comprises both military and civilian populations, but primarily dedicated to housing soldiers.
- Under the jurisdiction of – Defence Ministry
- Governed under – Cantonment Act, 2006
- Total Number of cantonments in India – 62
- Administered by – Cantonment Boards
Cantonment Boards:
- Established under – Cantonment Act, 2006
- Term – 5 years
- Composition –
- 8 elected members, 3 nominated military members, 3 ex-officio members (station commander, garrison engineer and senior executive medical officer) and 1 representative of the district magistrate.
- Station commander of the cantonment is the ex-officio president of the board
- An officer of the Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) or Defence Estates Organisation is the chief executive officer
- Classified into – 4 categories (depending on their size and population)
| Category | Population |
| Category I | Above 50,000 |
| Category II | Between 10,000 and 50,000 |
| Category III | Between 2,500 and 10,000 |
| Category IV | Below 2,500 |
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee:
1. is constituted under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
2. prepares the draft development plans for the metropolitan area.
3. has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Statement 3 is not correct. Metropolitan Planning Committee does not have the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area.
