The management of cantonments is under the care of Defence Estate Service. The appointment of an IDFS officer on completion of probation is that of Executive Officer Class I or Class II of cantonments. Main functions or responsibilities of the Indian Defence Estate Services can be categorized into two broad classess ie.
(i) Defence land management and audit that includes:- (a) Acquisitions, requisition, hiring and relinquishment of defence lands. (b) Handling litigations and court cases pertaining to defence lands including those arising out of acquisition. (c) Defending the title of the government in defence lands and Independent audit of defence land usage and
(ii) Providing civil and municipal administration including (i) Construction and maintenance of roads, infrastructure, street lighting, public parks, libraries, public markets, schools, hospitals etc. (ii) Supply of clean drinking water (iii) Preparing and implementing town planning scheme (iv) Formulation and execution of taxation policy including assessment, imposition, remission and refund of taxes (v) Registration of birth and deaths besides conducting election and census related activity in the cantonment area
The hierarchy:
- Deputy Asstt. DG in DG’s office
- Asstt. DG in DG’s office
- Deputy Director in DG’s office
- Addl. DG in DG’s office
- Senior Additional DG in DG’s office
- Director General Defense Estates
