Hyderabad: BRS, Congress anger over SCB nominee tenure extension

The Ministry of Defence’s decision to extend the tenure of a Secunderabad Cantonment Board civilian nominated member has triggered protests by the BRS and Congress, with leaders demanding immediate elections instead of repeated extensions of nominated members’ terms

Hyderabad: The Ministry of Defence extending the tenure of a Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) civilian nominated member sparked anger among the BRS and Congress parties on Sunday.

The term of nominated members of the 58 Cantonment Boards, which is to expire on February 10, has been extended for one year or till such time these Boards are constituted under Section 12 of the Cantonments Act 2016. As a result, the tenure of the present SCB civilian nominated member, Bhanuka Narmada, was also extended.

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Senior BRS leader Manne Krishank burnt copies of the MoD Gazette notifications in front of the SCB main office along with party supporters. Krishank said the MoD was delaying the conduct of elections to the Cantonment Board by extending the tenure of civilian nominated members.

Meanwhile, Cantonment Congress Party MLA N Sriganesh demanded that the Defence Ministry conduct elections for the Cantonment Board on the lines of the neighbouring GHMC, instead of extending the civilian nominated member’s tenure for the second time.