The Maharashtra government's directorate of municipal administration has requested clarity from the Deolali Cantonment Board regarding various crucial matters in the plan to exclude civilian areas from the cantonment and merge them with a neighbouring civic body. Issues include geographical continuity, floor space index (FSI), salary and pension burdens of employees, taxation rates, infrastructure values, and revenue matters. The directorate will make its final recommendation on the merger once these issues are clarified, and the state government will then communicate it to the Ministry of Defence. This process may also apply to Aurangabad Cantonment.
The Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, is embarking on a mission to unravel the intricacies of a proposed plan. This plan aims to exclude civilian areas from the Deolali Cantonment, located in Nashik, and seamlessly merge them with a neighbouring civic body. However, before this substantial transformation can proceed, several crucial issues must be clarified to ensure the operation's smooth execution.
These issues span a broad spectrum, encompassing geographical continuity, floor space index (FSI) regulations, building permission rules, and the intricacies of transferring salary and pension obligations for employees nearing retirement. Furthermore, the taxation rates, the age and depreciated value of infrastructure and utilities, as well as revenue and expenditure matters, must be meticulously examined. The DMA believes that by thoroughly understanding and addressing these multifaceted concerns, concrete conclusions can be reached, ultimately facilitating the merger's success.
The DMA's role in this process is pivotal, as it intends to formulate and provide its final recommendation regarding the merger to the state government. Once this recommendation is prepared, it will be communicated to the Ministry of Defence, marking a significant step towards the merger's realization. Moreover, this process could potentially extend to the Aurangabad cantonment, highlighting its broader implications and significance.
A significant development in this endeavour occurred on August 17 when a pivotal meeting took place. Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, Manoj Ranade, presided over this gathering, which aimed to assess the modalities and complexities involved in excising civilian areas from the Deolali cantonment and integrating them with a neighbouring civic body. Several key stakeholders were present during this crucial meeting, including CEO Rahul Gajbhiye from the Deolali Cantonment Board, Joint Commissioner for Municipal Administration Sudhakar Deshmukh, and senior officials from the state's urban and rural development departments. Additionally, representatives from various entities, including the Nashik district collector, zilla parishad, town planning authorities, Nashik Municipal Corporation, and Bhagur Municipal Council, participated in this important discussion.
Sudhakar Deshmukh, the Joint Commissioner for Municipal Administration, emphasized the complexity of the situation. He conveyed that both state and central government units are actively collaborating to discern the intricate modalities associated with the exclusion of civil areas from cantonments. However, he also clarified that, at present, they are not authorized to provide detailed commentary on the matter.
This evolving situation underscores the paramount importance of clarity and thoroughness in addressing the multifaceted issues surrounding the proposed merger. By engaging in a comprehensive examination of these intricacies, the DMA, state government, and Ministry of Defence aim to make informed decisions and pave the way for a seamless transition of responsibilities and assets between the cantonment and the neighbouring civic body.
The outcome of these deliberations carries significant implications, not only for the Deolali Cantonment but also for the broader context of similar situations, such as the Aurangabad cantonment. Achieving a harmonious merger is contingent on navigating the complexities and intricacies surrounding civilian areas' exclusion from cantonments, thus highlighting the far-reaching consequences and paramount importance of this ongoing process. As the DMA continues its pursuit of clarity, the ultimate goal remains to facilitate a transition that benefits all stakeholders involved.
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