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An appropriate decision will be taken only after adequate consultation with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh, said the MHA
The Amit Shah-led Home Ministry has issued a clarification on the Chandigarh proposal. (X)
Amid the political storm in Punjabthe Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday issued a clarification on the Chandigarh law-making proposal.
“The proposal to simplify the process of law-making exclusively by the Central Government for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is currently under consideration at the level of the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal,” the MHA said.
According to the MHA, the proposal does not in any way involve altering the governance and administrative arrangements of Chandigarh or the traditional relations of Chandigarh with Punjab or Haryana. “An appropriate decision will be taken only after adequate consultation with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for concern on this matter,” the MHA said.
The Ministry further clarified that the Central Government has no intention of presenting any bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
The proposal to simplify the process of making laws by the Central Government only for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is currently under consideration at the Central Government level. No final decision has been taken on this proposal. This proposal does not in any way affect the governance and administration system of Chandigarh or Chandigarh…— PIB – Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) November 23, 2025
What is the proposal? What is the row
The Centre has proposed to include the UT of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the president to make regulations for the UT and to legislate directly.
A Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha bulletin allegedly stated that the Centre would bring the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, beginning December 1.
If the bill is passed in its current form, Chandigarh could have an independent administrator, similar to having had an independent chief secretary in the past. Chandigarh serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
This proposed amendment has sparked political outrage in Punjab, with the ruling AAP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, accusing the government of attempting to “snatch” Chandigarh from Punjab.
We strongly oppose the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill being brought by the Central Government in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. This amendment is against the interest of Punjab. We will not allow the central government’s conspiracy against Punjab to succeed at all. Our Punjab… pic.twitter.com/06K8e5wZ4w
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) November 22, 2025
What is the current status of Chandigarh?
Currently, the Punjab governor serves as the Administrator of the UT of Chandigarh. It was previously administered independently by a chief secretary since November 1, 1966, when Punjab was reorganised.
However, since June 1, 1984, Chandigarh has been administered by the Punjab governor and the chief secretary’s position was converted to an adviser to the UT administrator.
In August 2016, the Centre sought to restore the old practice of having an independent administrator by appointing former IAS officer K J Alphons for the top post.
However, the move was withdrawn after stiff opposition from the then-Punjab chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal, who was part of the NDA, and other parties, including the Congress and AAP.
Punjab, which has staked its claim on Chandigarh, also wants the immediate transfer of Chandigarh to it. The chief minister has reiterated this demand during a recent meeting of the Northern Zonal Council held in Faridabad.
What the BJP said
Amid the row, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, assuring that the “confusion” regarding the Union territory will be resolved.
“Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, and the Punjab BJP stands firmly with the interests of the state, whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab. Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first,” said Jakhar in a post on X.
With PTI, Agency Inputs
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
November 23, 2025, 1:01 PM IST
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