(a) the criteria for setting up of a Cantonment Board in the country;
(b) whether the Government proposes to set up of a Cantonment Board in Balasore in the line of such Cantonment Board in other parts of India;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether in many cantonments, no major regiment has been stationed; and
(e) if so, the details of such cantonment along with the cost of maintaining such small cantonments?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)
(a) As per Section 3 of the Cantonments Act, 2006, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare any place or places alongwith boundaries in which any part of the Forces is quartered or which, being in the vicinity or any such place or places, is or are required for the service of such forces to be a `Cantonment`.
(b) No, Madam.
(c) Does not arise.
(d) & (e): Regiments (Major units) are stationed in Cantonments and Military Stations based on the overall operational plan of the Army which is dynamic in nature. Hence the stationing of regiments keeps changing based on the operational plans, from one Cantonment to another Cantonment.