On Friday, the central government exercised its special powers vested with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to cancel upcoming elections to 58 cantonment boards across the country, including the Belagavi Cantonment Board (PCB). The elections were scheduled to be held on April 30, and the MoD had issued a notification to hold elections across all 58 cantonments.
In an order dated March 17, Rakesh Mittal, Joint Secretary of the Government of India, stated that the central government rescinds the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Defence dated February 17, 2023, published in the Gazette Extraordinary Part II Section 4, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such rescission. This action was taken in the exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section I of section 15 of the Cantonments Act 2006 (41 of 2006) read with section 21 of the General Clauses Act 1897.
The Cantonments Act 2006 provides for the establishment, administration, and governance of cantonments in India, and the central government has the power to issue orders and notifications related to the functioning of these cantonments.
It remains to be seen what impact this cancellation will have on the functioning of the Belagavi Cantonment Board and other affected cantonments.
The tenure of the Belagavi Cantonment had got over 2 years ago, and currently, the Brigadier and CEO are looking after the day-to-day activities.
There are 7 wards in Belagavi Cantonment.