M Venkaiah Naidu to hold talks with Manohar Parikkar for development in Cantonment areas

NEW DELHI: To ensure that Cantonment Boards also become part of various central programmes, Urban Development minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said he will hold consultations with Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar on the issue so that benefits of schemes also reaches to all those living in these areas.

Naidu also asked Cantonments to enthusiastically participate in 'International Yoga Day' events, adding that some people had needlessly tried to create a controversy over it.

Speaking at an event here, Naidu said it was a typical situation that while Cantonments were like Municipalities, but there was not so much clarity legally.

"Their control is with the Defence, so state government and Union government naturally say that since they have the control, they should develop them," he said.

Emphasising that who does the development work was not an issue, Naidu said schemes and facilities offered by the Union government should reach all areas and those living in Cantonments were also Indian citizens.

Naidu assured that he would discuss issues involved with the Defence Minister so that a constructive solution could be found.

Earlier, some of the speakers at the Valediction of Orientation Programme for elected members of Cantonment Boards of Western, Eastern and Northern commands, had brought to Naidu's notice the problems faced by the Cantonments.

Officials said that since programmes of Urban Development ministry were routed through states, their progress was often delayed as state governments tend to focus more on civilian areas.

Naidu also asked the Cantonment Boards that they should enthusiastically participate in the celebrations of the International Yoga Day.

Naidu said lifestyle was changing so yoga was more relevant and beneficial for all.

He said some people have unnecessarily created a row over it which he doesn't understand, as there was no circular that only one name has to be taken while doing yoga on that day.

"God is your choice. For some, it is Rama, other Krishna, Shiva, Ganesha or their guru. For others Allah or Christ. It is your choice. There is no circular that only one name has to be taken (while doing yoga)," he said.