e-Chhawani Project

Cantonment Boards

• About:
  • They are a civic administration body functioning under the provisions of the Cantonments Act, 2006. 
    • The Cantonments Act of 1924 was repealed by this Act.
  • They are under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
• Members: 
  • The members are partly elected and partly nominated.
  • While the elected members hold the office for a term of 5 years, the nominated members continue as long as they hold the office.
  • The Station Commander is the President of the Cantonment Board and Chief Executive Officer -an officer appointed by the Union Government.
  • The military officer commanding the station serves as the board’s ex-officio president and presides over its meetings.
• Functions:
  • They are primarily meant to accommodate the military population and their installations.
  • It provides for public health, water supply, sanitation, primary education, and street lighting, among other things, to the residents of the cantonment.
  • It also provides for training and administration of the Army in the said area.

• Cantonments are different from Military Stations:
  • Military Stations are purely meant for the use and accommodation of the armed forces and these are established under an executive order whereas the Cantonments are areas that comprise both military and civil population.