Home Ministry Says No Move To Alter Chandigarh Status
The clarification came after strong criticism from Punjab, where the ruling AAP, the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal accused the Centre of attempting to “snatch” Chandigarh from Punjab: Reports
NEW DELHI: Amid a political row over reports that the Union Territory of Chandigarh may be brought under Article 240 of the Constitution, the Union home ministry on Sunday clarified that it has no intention of introducing the proposed Bill in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. The ministry also asserted that the proposal does not seek to alter the traditional administrative arrangements between Chandigarh and the states of Punjab and Haryana.
The clarification came after strong criticism from Punjab, where the ruling AAP, the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal accused the Centre of attempting to “snatch” Chandigarh from Punjab.
The home ministry said no final decision has been taken on the proposal, which aims to “simplify the law-making process” for the Centre in matters related to Chandigarh. It added that any decision would be taken only after due consultations with all stakeholders.
The controversy erupted after a bulletin of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha mentioned that the Central government had proposed bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 through the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the upcoming Winter Session, thereby empowering the President to directly make regulations for the Union Territory.
“A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern. The Central government has no intention of introducing any such Bill in the upcoming session,” the ministry said in a statement.
A ministry spokesperson added that the proposal is still under consideration and that “no final decision has been taken.”
Article 240 empowers the President to make regulations for the peace, progress and good governance of Union Territories including Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry.
Political reactions were swift in Punjab. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said the move was a “direct attack on Punjab’s identity and constitutional rights,” calling it dangerous for federalism.
Shiromani Akali Dal MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal warned that Punjab would “lose its rights over Chandigarh” if the amendment were approved. She said the SAD “strongly opposes” the proposed 131st Amendment Bill and accused the Centre of trying to convert Chandigarh into a separate state.
The SAD has convened an emergency meeting of its core committee on November 24 to discuss the issue. Party leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the meeting, chaired by Sukhbir Singh Badal, would determine the next steps.
Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the proposal a “debilitating assault on federalism,” alleging that amending Article 240 has become a new method to undermine the identity and rights of Punjab and Haryana.
Earlier in the day, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said he had sought a meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah to discuss the matter. “Chandigarh is not just a geographical entity; the sentiments of Punjab are attached to it,” he said, urging sensitivity in administrative decisions.
Currently, the Punjab governor serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh. Historically, the UT was administered independently by a chief secretary after the reorganisation of Punjab on November 1, 1966. However, since June 1, 1984, it has been administered by the Punjab governor, with the chief secretary re-designated as adviser to the administrator. The Centre attempted to restore the earlier practice in August 2016 by appointing former IAS officer K.J. Alphons as a separate Administrator.
