- Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth Confers Prestigious Recognition for Governance Integrity and Civic Leadership
- A Model of Transparent Administration in a Sensitive Defence Environment
- Veteran Deputy Executive Engineer Shares Blueprint for Future-Ready Cantonment Governance
R MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, FEB 12
In a moment that celebrated commitment, integrity and institutional excellence, Jayesh H. Patel, Deputy Executive Engineer of the Ahmedabad Cantonment Board, was conferred the “Achieving Excellence Award” by Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command.
The honour recognises Patel’s 37 years of distinguished service, marked by unwavering dedication, disciplined governance and citizen-centric administration within one of India’s most sensitive defence-controlled civic ecosystems. Over nearly four decades, Patel has quietly shaped systems, strengthened institutional culture and delivered civic services with professionalism that has now set a benchmark for cantonment boards nationwide.
Following the ceremony, Navjeevan Express spoke to the decorated officer about governance principles, administrative innovation and the future of cantonment leadership.
Interview Excerpts
You have completed 37 years of service with the Ahmedabad Cantonment Board and have now been conferred the “Achieving Excellence Award” by the GOC-in-C, Southern Command. Which governance principles or decisions do you believe most strongly shaped this recognition, and how did you sustain consistency over such a long tenure?
First, I feel deeply honoured and humbled to receive the ‘Achieving Excellence Award’ from the GOC-in-C, Southern Command after 37 years of service. This recognition is not mine alone—it belongs to every colleague and team member who walked this journey with me.
If I reflect on the governance principles that shaped this recognition, two stand out clearly.
The first is transparency anchored in integrity. In public administration, credibility is the foundation. I always ensured that decisions were rule-based, properly documented and uniformly applied. When systems are transparent, trust is built organically—both within the administration and among citizens.
The second principle is citizen-centric service delivery. A cantonment board operates at the intersection of civil and military administration. Balancing regulatory discipline with public sensitivity is crucial. Whether it was sanitation, water supply, infrastructure or public health, our focus remained on equitable and efficient delivery.
Sustaining consistency over 37 years required discipline, adaptability and continuous learning. Policies evolved, technologies advanced and governance expectations increased. I made it a point to upgrade my knowledge, embrace digitisation and reform initiatives, and adapt to modern administrative practices—while never compromising on core values.
Consistency, in my view, is built on values that do not change, even when systems do.
Several cantonments across India face challenges related to civic infrastructure, sanitation, land management and citizen engagement. What specific planning or administrative practices from Ahmedabad Cantonment do you believe can be realistically replicated in other cantonments to improve governance outcomes?
Cantonments across India face similar structural challenges. In Ahmedabad, we learned that sustainable improvement depends more on disciplined systems than on large budgets.
First, integrated planning with strict regulatory compliance proved essential. Land management in cantonments is highly sensitive. We prioritised updated land records, transparent documentation, digitisation and regular inspections. This reduced disputes and enhanced administrative clarity. Such structured land governance can be replicated elsewhere.
Second, we adopted a preventive rather than reactive approach in civic services. Periodic audits, defined accountability and measurable performance indicators ensured early identification of problems. A simple but strong monitoring mechanism can dramatically improve service delivery.
Third, we institutionalised structured citizen engagement—regular public meetings, time-bound grievance redressal systems and transparent communication. When residents feel heard, cooperation strengthens governance outcomes.
Above all, seamless coordination between military authorities and civilian administration ensured smooth implementation. Governance excellence, in my experience, is less about extraordinary reforms and more about disciplined execution of existing rules with transparency and consistency.
Cantonment areas require a delicate balance between defence imperatives and civilian civic needs. How did you ensure transparency, efficiency and public trust while operating within a sensitive defence-controlled environment, and what lessons does this hold for other boards?
Cantonment administration requires precision and balance. National security remains paramount, yet civilian residents depend on us for essential civic services.
The first pillar was strict adherence to the Cantonment Act and defence regulations. Every decision was rule-based and clearly documented. In a sensitive environment, clarity reduces ambiguity and strengthens confidence among stakeholders.
Second, structured coordination with military authorities ensured harmony. Regular communication and clearly defined roles prevented misunderstandings and ensured civic works never compromised defence priorities.
Third, public trust was nurtured through transparent grievance redressal and open proceedings wherever permissible. Even within regulatory constraints, citizens must feel informed and respected.
The broader lesson is simple: transparency does not weaken security—it strengthens governance. Regulatory discipline combined with citizen sensitivity enables cantonment boards to serve both defence imperatives and civic responsibilities effectively.
During your tenure, what innovations—whether in planning, execution, or inter-departmental coordination—proved most effective in improving service delivery? How important is institutional culture and leadership continuity in achieving governance excellence in cantonments?
The most impactful innovations were systemic rather than dramatic. Strengthening inter-departmental coordination, streamlining file movement, digitising records and introducing performance-based monitoring significantly improved efficiency.
We worked toward institutional alignment rather than isolated reforms. When departments communicate seamlessly and share accountability, execution becomes smoother and more timely.
However, beyond processes, institutional culture is the true driver of excellence. A culture rooted in integrity, punctuality and public service orientation elevates performance naturally. Leadership continuity also ensures stability—consistent values and long-term vision prevent disruption even during administrative transitions.
Governance excellence is not achieved through a single reform. It is built gradually through disciplined systems, collaborative teamwork and a culture that prioritises responsibility over authority.
As someone whose work has now set a benchmark, what advice would you offer to younger engineers and administrators in cantonment boards across the country? How can your experience be institutionalised into training frameworks or policy guidelines for future-ready cantonment governance?
My advice to younger engineers and administrators is straightforward: respect the system, and strengthen it. Master the Cantonment Act, rules and procedures—because clarity of law is the foundation of sound governance. Integrity and documentation are your strongest safeguards.
Do not treat public service as routine work. Every file impacts real communities. Be field-oriented, not desk-bound. Regular site visits and citizen engagement provide insights that paperwork cannot.
Innovation does not always mean large-scale reform. It can emerge from better monitoring, smarter planning and proactive problem-solving—within the framework of rules.
Most importantly, cultivate character. Integrity, discipline and commitment to public service will build lasting credibility. Governance is not merely about completing works—it is about building systems that endure beyond your tenure.
If training modules institutionalise practical field exposure, regulatory clarity, digital governance and ethical leadership, future cantonment governance will be both efficient and resilient.
Remember, your responsibility is not only to administer today—it is to shape a legacy of transparent, accountable and citizen-responsive governance for the future.
