The AAP government in Punjab has created a furore by demanding transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. While Chandigarh has been the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana since Punjab’s Re-organisation in 1966, Himachal Pradesh has also flagged its share, writes Rajesh Moudgil
While Punjab and Haryana’s differences over their respective rights and territories since Punjab’s Re-organisation in 1966 are oft-reported, the recent move of the newest Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab to demand Chandigarh’s immediate transfer to it has stirred up a hornet’s nest.
The Punjab assembly had on April 1, 2022 unanimously passed a resolution at a specially called assembly session, seeking immediate transfer of Chandigarh to the state subsequent to which all the political parties of the neighbouring state Haryana have torn into Punjab’s stance and highlighted various issues associated with the subject since the Re-organisation of Punjab in 1966.
The said resolution was moved by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann in the one-day assembly session which saw a walkout by both the BJP legislators from the House. However, members of all the other political parties, namely the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which has a whopping majority of 92-members in the House of 117, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) members and others supported the resolution.
The special session was hurriedly convened on April 1 subsequent to a political row whipped up by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement made on March 27 that Central service rules would apply to the employees of Chandigarh.
Under the rules, the retirement age of the Chandigarh employees increases from 58 to 60 and the women employees would get child care leave of two years instead of the current one year. The Centre has notified the rules. Under the Central Civil Service Rules, all employees would not only get the Central pay-scale but also an enhanced retirement age from 58 to 60 and the maternity leave for women employees for two years from the existing one.
Speaking on the resolution, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Centre of trying to upset the balance in the administration of the UT and other common assets. Later while interacting with the media, Mann said that in the coming days, the Punjab MLAs would seek time from the President, the prime minister and the Union home minister over this issue and put up the Punjab’s stance on the same before them.
Mann took to Twitter to say that the Central government had been step-wise imposing officers and personnel from other states and services in the Chandigarh administration. This goes against the letter and spirit of the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966. Punjab will fight strongly for its rightful claim over Chandigarh, he said.
