Relief for cantonment residents: Rs 5,000 registry fees to be scrapped
BJP national executive member Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi announced the scrapping of registry fees for residents of cantonments.
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The Rs 5,000 registry condition, known to be rooted in the General Government Order (GGO) 1836, dates back to colonial times when land in cantonments was retained under military control.
(Credit: Pixabay) In a long-awaited move that promises major relief for thousands of residents living in cantonment areas across India, the Ministry of Defence has approved the removal of the Rs 5,000 condition for land registry—a provision that has been in place since the British era.
BJP national executive member Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi made this announcement during a press conference organised at Ferozepur Tuesday, declaring it a “historic decision” that will end decades of bureaucratic and financial hardship faced by cantonment dwellers.
“I had personally met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh just last month to raise this concern. I’m glad to share that the ministry has now given a green signal,” said Sodhi.
The Rs 5,000 registry condition, known to be rooted in the General Government Order (GGO) 1836, dates back to colonial times when land in cantonments was retained under military control. While the land remains legally owned by the President of India, residents typically own only the structure built on it.
As a result, only the “debris” of the building was registered, not the land itself, rendering residents ineligible for bank loans, property transfers, and even minor renovations without prior permission from the Cantonment Board.
Sodhi said a committee is now being formed to draft implementation guidelines for the new policy. “Soon, residents will be able to register their properties without paying the outdated Rs 5,000 fee. This will give them long-denied security and dignity,” he added.
He also recalled the persistent efforts of the late advocate Yogesh Gupta, a nominated member of the Ferozepur Cantonment Board, who long championed the cause of registry rights for residents.
“This is a promise I made during the 2022 Assembly elections and reiterated during the Lok Sabha campaign. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for making this possible,” said Sodhi, assuring residents that “the people of Ferozepur Cantonment are like family to me, and I will ensure they face no further hardship”.
The decision has been welcomed by residents and local associations who view it as a step toward true ownership, modernisation of governance, and freedom from colonial-era rules that no longer reflect the realities of present-day civilian life in cantonment towns.
The residents are eagerly waiting for its implementation in letter and spirit. Sodhi had unsuccessfully contested from Ferozepur city constituency on a BJP ticket and seeking true ownership rights of land in cantonment area is s long pending demand of the cantonment residents of Ferozepur.
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