HC issues directions to SCB on local member
Telangana High Court on Monday directed that Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) adhere to Section 13 (2) of Cantonment Act 2006. According to this section, the Varied Cantonment Board shall consist of one member, who is not a government servant, but is nominated by the central government (civilian nominated member), apart from two other members – officer commanding the cantonment and its chief executive officer.
The High Court had been dealing with a petition filed by G. Vittal Reddy, ex-member of SCB, urging the court to declare the meeting held by Varied Board of Secunderabad Cantonment on April 17, 2021, as being in violation of provisions of the Cantonment Act. This is because the post of civilian nominated member in SCB is lying vacant.
The petitioner complained that the board had not complied with instructions issued on March 3, 2021 by office of Director General of the Defence Estates to refer names for appointment of civilian nominated member.
The Cantonment Board is expected to forward names of three non-government servants for appointment, from whom the union government will select one as the civilian nominated member.
Vittal Reddy contended that without the nominated member being present, the other two members had conducted an Ordinary General Meeting on April 17, 2021, which is in violation of Section 13 of the Cantonment Act, as the meeting had been held without quorum. The meeting must hence be declared as in violation of provisions.
Counsel for union government, however, informed the High Court that out of three members, two members had participated in the meeting. Hence, the quorum is there and petitioner's contentions must not be taken into consideration.
However, the High Court directed the Cantonment Board to adhere to provisions of the act and take a decision on the petitioner`s representation within four weeks.