In a significant relief for residents of cantonment areas nationwide, the Ministry of Defence has approved the removal of the ₹5,000 registry fee for land in cantonment board zones — a provision dating back to the British colonial period.
The announcement was made by BJP national executive member Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, following his recent meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. “Following the green signal from the Centre, officials are now forming a committee to draft the necessary guidelines to implement the decision effectively,” Sodhi said in a statement.
He added that the step would ease the financial burden on residents, stating, “Soon, residents will be freed from the burden of paying ₹5,000 for land registration in cantonment areas.”
Under the existing regulations, the land in cantonment regions is legally owned by the President of India, with residents only owning the structures built upon it. This legal distinction has created numerous complications, such as ineligibility for home loans and restrictions on even minor construction without specific approvals from the Cantonment Board.
The move is seen as a long-overdue corrective to the outdated General Government Order (GGO) 1836, which has caused distress and uncertainty among residents for decades. With the removal of the fee, many locals are expected to experience a renewed sense of ownership and security regarding their properties.
The Defence Ministry’s decision is likely to impact thousands of households residing in cantonment zones, including Ferozepur, where the issue has been a long-standing demand. Implementation guidelines are expected to be released soon.
