New Delhi/Chandigarh, Nov 23: In the line of fire over its move on Chandigarh’s administrative structure, the Centre on Sunday said no final decision has been taken on the proposal and asserted that it does not aim to change traditional arrangements between the Union territory and Punjab and Haryana.
The Centre’s move on Chandigarh has raised the hackles of various parties in Punjab, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal terming it as a “direct attack” on Punjab’s identity and constitutional rights.
The row erupted over a bulletin of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha which showed that the Centre has proposed to include the Union territory of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, empowering the president to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly.
This could pave the way for the appointment of an independent administrator in Chandigarh, similar to when it had an independent chief secretary in the past.
With the development triggering a political storm in Punjab, the Union Home Ministry said no final decision has been taken on the proposal to “simplify law-making” in Chandigarh, asserting that it does not aim to change traditional arrangements between the Union territory and Punjab and Haryana.
Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
“The proposal only to simplify the central government’s law-making process for the Union territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the central government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal,” a home ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
Allaying concerns raised by political leaders in Punjab regarding the proposal, the ministry said the proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change “traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the states of Punjab or Haryana”.
“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 on this matter. The central government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament,” it said.
The move had sparked outrage in Punjab, with the ruling AAP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) criticising the BJP-led Centre, accusing the government of attempting to “snatch” Chandigarh from Punjab.
Kejriwal vehemently opposed the Centre’s proposed move, calling it a “direct attack” on Punjab’s identity and constitutional rights.
SAD MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that with this move, Punjab will lose its rights over Chandigarh. The SAD has called an emergency meeting on November 24 to discuss this issue. (PTI)
