The Ministry of Defence has formulated a new policy on the use of A-1 category land for welfare and other projects of the Armed Forces and Canteen Stores Department (CSD). However, all commercial activities being undertaken on A-1 category lands in the cantonment areas will cease and be reverted if required by the Armed Forces.
However, General Headquarters (GHQ), Naval Headquarters (NHQ) and Air Headquarters (AHQ) will provide undertaking for this purpose. Official sources told Business Recorder here on Friday that the caretaker Cabinet would consider the proposal in its last meeting.
THEY SAID THAT THE DEFENCE MINISTRY HAD GIVEN A PRESENTATION TO THE CARETAKER PRIME MINISTER ON FEBRUARY 21, IN WHICH THE FOLLOWING ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED:
i) A-1 land has been defined under Rules 5 of CLA Rules 1937 as land which was actually used or occupied by military authorities for the purposes of fortifications, barracks, stores, arsenal stores, aerodromes, parade grounds, rifle ranges, soldiers and hospital gardens, etc.
ii) The suggestions/proposals made by Defence Ministry involve adoption of a policy defining activities to be undertaken on A-1 land into three groups. It appears that Defence is soliciting approval for an amendment in CLA Rules 1937.
iii) Will it be possible to retrieve such A-1 lands for military purposes after the construction of large stores, shopping malls, petrol pumps, CNG stations, restaurants, marriage halls, joy lands, printing presses, ice factories and cattle markets as proposed in category 'A'?
iv) The rationale for sharing of the rent proceeds as 25 percent for the government and 75 percent for the foundation/formations in case of lands owned by the government.
v) Law Division be consulted regarding the legality of the proposal. Since A-1 lands can be used for specific purposes only, therefore, the proposal has to be examined in the light of the Cantonment Act, 1924 and CLAR 1937. Law Division may advise whether the proposed policy guidelines and categories are consistent with the provisions of law and rules on the subject or not.
SOURCES SAID THAT THE PRIME MINISTER HAD DESIRED THE FOLLOWING CLARIFICATIONS:
i) Whether amendment in Rule 5 of the Cantonment Land Administration (CLA) Rule 1937 is required?
ii) Will it be possible to retrieve such A-1 lands for military purposes after commercial construction?
iii) The rationale of share of rent proceeds as 25 percent for the government and 75 percent for the foundation/formations.
iv) To take up the subject for Cabinet's approval.
Sources said that the propositions of the Prime Minister Secretariat have been deliberated upon in consultation with Law and Justice Division, GHQ and Military Lands and Cantonments (ML&C) Department.
THE FOLLOWING CLARIFICATIONS WERE PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO THE MATTERS RAISED IN THE MEETING CHAIRED BY THE PRIME MINISTER:
1) Essentially, there is requirement of an amendment in conformity with Rule 5 of the CLA Rules 1937 and formulation of policy by the government.
2) All commercial activities being undertaken on A-1 lands will cease and lands will be reverted, if required by the Armed Forces. GHQ, NHQ and AHQ will provide an undertaken for this.
3) All revenue/income collected from use of A-1 land is being utilised for welfare of troops including helping the families of 'Shuhada' or death during service.
It is, therefore, felt that 75 percent income be shared by units/formations. Sources said that the policy has been prepared on the directives of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Defence Ministry in consultations with QMG's Branch, GHQ and Military Lands and Cantonments (ML&C) Directorate.
THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE POLICY ARE: In order to give appropriate treatment to various activities, these have been grouped into three categories 'A', 'B' & 'C'.
CATEGORY A: Essential commercial activities required to serve the residents of the respective garrison.
i) Rent shall be charged @ 6 percent per annum of existing revenue rate (earlier known as DC Rate) of the land.
ii) 25 percent of the above calculated rent will be deposited into government treasury and the 75 percent balance will be utilised by the respective formation /establishment.
CATEGORY B: Pure welfare activities, which fall in category 'B', shall be included in rule 5(i) of the Cantonment Land Administration (CLA) Rules, 1937 which provide that "class-A (1) land which is actually used or occupied by the military authorities, for the purpose of fortifications, barracks, stores, arsenals, aerodromes, bungalow for military officers which are the property of Government parade grounds, military recreation grounds, (golf courses), rifle ranges, grass farms, dairy farms, brick fields, (CNG stations), soldiers and hospital gardens as provided for in paragraph 525 of the Army Regulations and other official requirements of the Military Authorities".
CATEGORY C: Agro-based activities including holding temporary Melas and circus, full rent of which will be deposited into government treasury.