Rajnath Singh addresses ‘MANTHAN 2025’, charts vision for smart cantonments

Updated On: 18 September, 2025 10:39 PM IST | Anushree Gaikwad

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday directed Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) officers to reimagine Cantonment Boards as smart, green, and sustainable urban ecosystems. (PICS/ PTI/ X)

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<p>Singh praised IDES officers for shouldering a dual responsibility, managing over 18 lakh acres of defence land and administering civilian welfare in 61 cantonments across India</p>

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Singh praised IDES officers for shouldering a dual responsibility, managing over 18 lakh acres of defence land and administering civilian welfare in 61 cantonments across India

<p>He urged modernisation in systems and processes, calling for improved digital service delivery, greater citizen participation, and enhanced transparency and accountability in cantonment governance</p>

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He urged modernisation in systems and processes, calling for improved digital service delivery, greater citizen participation, and enhanced transparency and accountability in cantonment governance

<p>Rajnath Singh also pushed for financial independence for both IDES and Cantonment Boards, encouraging them to draft frameworks to realise this transformation</p>

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Rajnath Singh also pushed for financial independence for both IDES and Cantonment Boards, encouraging them to draft frameworks to realise this transformation

<p>Prominent officials present included Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Shailendra Nath Gupta, and Shobha Gupta</p>

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Prominent officials present included Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Shailendra Nath Gupta, and Shobha Gupta

<p>The conference also features debates by key policy figures on land governance, sustainability and defence sector innovation in line with Viksit Bharat</p>

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The conference also features debates by key policy figures on land governance, sustainability and defence sector innovation in line with Viksit Bharat

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Rajnath Singh addresses ‘MANTHAN 2025’, charts vision for smart cantonments

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Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future