In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Defence has approved the elimination of the ₹5,000 registry fee for land in cantonment board areas, a regulation that has lingered since the colonial era. This long-awaited announcement was made by BJP national executive member Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, who recently conferred with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Sodhi expressed his satisfaction following the approval, stating that the Centre’s green light would pave the way for officials to establish a committee tasked with drafting the necessary guidelines for implementing this change effectively.
“This measure will significantly alleviate the financial strain on residents,” said Sodhi, adding, “Soon, people living in cantonment areas will no longer be burdened by the ₹5,000 fee for land registration.”
Currently, land in cantonment zones is technically owned by the President of India, which means that residents only possess ownership over the structures they build on this land. This legal framework has led to numerous complications for homeowners, including ineligibility for home loans and the necessity for official approvals from the Cantonment Board even for minor renovations.
The decision to eliminate the fee is viewed as a timely correction to the antiquated General Government Order (GGO) 1836, which has created persistent challenges and uncertainties for residents in these regions. The removal of the financial barrier is expected to foster a renewed sense of property security among thousands of households, particularly in areas like Ferozepur, where this issue has been a long-standing concern.
The Defence Ministry’s initiative is anticipated to provide much-needed relief to numerous residents across various cantonment zones, with the implementation guidelines expected to be announced shortly.
