Chandigarh Lt Governor Bill Triggers Statewide Concerns
Center Proposes Major Administrative Changes for Chandigarh
A political storm is brewing in Punjab after a new bill was proposed by the Union Government. It stated to place Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. This would enable them to appoint a separate Lieutenant Governor for the Union Territory. The proposal has been fiercely criticized by the AAP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal. They argued it is an attempt to chip away at Punjab’s historical and constitutional rights to its capital.
What the 131st Amendment Bill to Constitution States
According to the Rajya Sabha website, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 will be introduced in the upcoming Winter Session beginning December 1.
Should the bill go through, Chandigarh – which was previously administered by the Punjab Governor – would be led by an LG also appointed centrally, much like any Union Territory.
Opposition leaders claim that the bill is eroding Punjab’s historical ownership claim to the Union Territory. This was established on land that belonged to Punjab.
Bhagwant Mann, Punjab’s CM Leading the Opposition
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann severely condemned the possible action. He asserted on X, “We conditionally oppose the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. This amendment is contrary to the interests of Punjab.”
Mann insisted that Chandigarh “is solely a part of Punjab”. He said they would be taking action to continue to protect the rights of the state.
Congress Calls for Collectivity Across the State
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa spoke along similar lines. He indicated proffering Chandigarh under the Article 240 is a deceitful scheme to misallocate Punjab’s domain right and emotional claim rights.
He called it, “another attack on Punjab,” indicating this is yet again the Centre’s attempt to diminish Punjab’s rights over Chandigarh, its river waters, Panjab University, and other matters.
Bajwa called for unity of political parties. He said that Punjab has survived in the past when united (such as the farmers’ protest and Panjab University Bachao Morcha).
Raja Warring and SAD are against the move as well
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called for a quick response from the Union Government. He warned that any attempt to dilute Punjab’s control over Chandigarh would have “serious consequences.”
Sukhbir Singh Badal, head of the Shiromani Akali Dal, characterized the proposed legislation as a breach of ongoing commitments.
He reminded the Centre of the 1970 agreement to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab and the Rajiv-Longowal accord. It stated that Chandigarh would belong to Punjab by January 1986. Also, it was signed by Parliament but not implemented.
Badal claimed that over the years, the Centre has undermined the autonomy of Punjab by ignoring the 60:40 ratio for employees. Also, He has brought officers of other cadres to work in Punjab.
Request to Central Authority and Concerns with Administration
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney urged all MPs from Punjab, regardless of party, to writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to say that the bill should not go ahead.
He said that right now, the Governor of Punjab is the administrator of Chandigarh. The new proposal would make it a separate administration for Chandigarh that is independent from Punjab. Therefore, it will further remove Punjab from its capital.
Context of Recent Policy Changes
The dispute arises shortly after the Centre retracted a disputed notification regarding the governance framework of Panjab University, indicating that Chandigarh’s administrative future is still a delicate and developing matter.
As political responses escalate, these events remain at the forefront of recent news updates in Punjab, creating an environment for a turbulent Winter Session in Parliament.
