In a significant move in the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Shimla, Suresh Kumar Kashyap, brought to light the prolonged delay in merging civil areas of cantonment boards with local municipal bodies across several states. Raising the matter under Rule 377 on Monday, the parliamentarian expressed serious concern over the administrative limbo affecting thousands of residents.
Three-Year Wait for Merger Completion
Kashyap pointed out that although the Union Ministry of Defence initiated the process for this crucial merger back in 2022, nearly three years have passed without a final resolution. Despite several procedural steps being undertaken, the process remains incomplete, leaving citizens in a state of uncertainty.
The MP, who has a background of service in the Indian Air Force, detailed the steps already taken. "Surveys have been conducted, public hearings have been held, and draft notifications have been issued," he stated. However, he emphasised that the final, decisive notification to complete the merger is still pending with the central authorities.
Residents Deprived of Essential Amenities
The core of Kashyap's argument centred on the tangible impact of this delay on everyday life. He stressed that residents living in cantonment areas, particularly in his home state of Himachal Pradesh, are being deprived of their full municipal rights. This administrative gap directly translates to a lack of access to essential civic amenities and urban services that other taxpayers in municipal limits enjoy seamlessly.
Local development work has been disrupted due to this ongoing uncertainty, the Shimla MP noted. Citizens are facing difficulties in accessing basic facilities promptly, which affects their quality of life and hinders the overall progress of these urban areas.
A Call for Urgent Government Action
Concluding his submission, Suresh Kumar Kashyap made a direct appeal to the central government. He urged authorities to fast-track the long-pending merger and issue the final notifications without any further delay. His primary demand is to ensure that residents of cantonment areas receive parity in municipal rights and amenities, putting an end to the current two-tier system of urban governance.
The issue highlights a critical gap in urban administration where procedural delays are costing citizens their rightful access to services. Kashyap's intervention in Parliament seeks to bring a swift closure to this matter, ensuring equitable development for all urban residents.
