New Delhi: The Centre on Sunday said that no final decision has been made on its proposal concerning the administrative structure of Chandigarh, following strong objections from political parties in Punjab.

The clarification came after a bulletin of both Houses of Parliament indicated a proposal to bring the Union Territory under Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the president to frame regulations and legislate directly for certain Union Territories.

The proposal prompted widespread criticism in Punjab, with Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal calling it a direct attack on the state’s identity and constitutional rights. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), also accused the Centre of attempting to dilute Punjab’s historical and administrative connection to Chandigarh.

In response to the backlash, the Union Home Ministry stated that the proposal’s objective was only to simplify the central government’s law-making process for Chandigarh and that it did not seek to alter the traditional arrangements between the UT and the states of Punjab and Haryana. The ministry said the proposal remains under consideration and that there is no intention of introducing any Bill on the matter in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

The Centre further emphasised that the proposal does not aim to modify Chandigarh’s governance system or administrative balance with the neighbouring states. Chandigarh has served as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana since the reorganisation of Punjab in 1966.

Political reactions, however, remained sharp. Kejriwal alleged that the move amounted to undermining the federal structure and depriving Punjab of its rights. He described the proposal as an attempt to disturb the long-standing equilibrium of Chandigarh’s governance.

SAD MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal claimed that the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill would effectively turn Chandigarh into a separate state, leading to Punjab losing its rights over the city. The party has called an emergency core committee meeting for 24 November to discuss further action and said constitutional experts would be consulted.

Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala described the proposal as an assault on federalism and warned against using constitutional amendments to dilute the rights of Punjab and Haryana. In posts addressing the people of both states, he urged political leaders to avoid stoking divisive narratives and highlighted their shared cultural and historical ties.

Punjab Congress MLA Pargat Singh also demanded that the state assembly pass a resolution opposing the proposal and called for an all-party delegation to meet the president to formally register Punjab’s concerns. He said Punjab should not accept any attempt to separate Chandigarh from its administrative ambit.

The dispute around Chandigarh’s administration has historical roots. Since 1966, when Punjab was reorganised, the UT has been governed through a system involving the Punjab governor as its administrator. It briefly had an independent chief secretary, but since 1984 the UT has been administered directly by the Punjab governor with an adviser replacing the chief secretary.

In 2016, the Centre attempted to reinstate the practice of appointing an independent administrator by naming former IAS officer K J Alphons, but the move was withdrawn after strong resistance from the then-Punjab government and other parties.

Punjab has consistently sought full administrative control of Chandigarh and raised the demand recently at a meeting of the Northern Zonal Council. The issue continues to carry significant political sensitivity, with parties viewing Chandigarh not merely as an administrative territory but an emotional and symbolic one.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said he would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss concerns over the current proposal. He said that although Chandigarh’s administrative needs must be addressed, Punjab’s sentiments cannot be ignored. He reassured that any confusion would be resolved in consultation with the government and asserted that Punjab’s interests remain paramount.

The debate has once again brought Chandigarh’s unique administrative status and historical legacy to the forefront of political discourse in both Punjab and Haryana, with leaders across parties demanding clarity and consultation before any changes are finalised.
(With PTI inputs)