November 23rd 2025.
Recently, the decision by the Centre to introduce a new law for the appointment of an independent administrator in Chandigarh has caused quite a stir for the ruling party. In response to this, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar addressed the concerns and assured that Punjab's interests will not be compromised in any way. He emphasized that Chandigarh is a crucial part of Punjab and the state's BJP is committed to safeguarding its interests, be it in terms of the UT itself or the water resources of Punjab. Jakhar further added that any confusion regarding Chandigarh will be resolved through discussions with the government. As a fellow Punjabi, he reassured everyone that Punjab will always be given the highest priority.
The proposed change by the Centre involves including Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which allows the president to make regulations for the UT and enact laws directly. To implement this, the Centre will be introducing the Constitution Bill, 2025, in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, starting from December 1. This move will enable Chandigarh to have an independent administrator, similar to how it was previously administered by an independent chief secretary. It is worth noting that Chandigarh serves as the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
This proposed amendment has sparked a wave of political opposition in Punjab, with the ruling parties such as AAP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal condemning the BJP-led Centre. They have accused the government of trying to snatch Chandigarh from Punjab, which has only added fuel to the fire. Currently, the UT of Chandigarh is administered by the Punjab governor. However, this was not always the case. From 1966 to 1984, it was administered independently by a chief secretary. But since then, the Punjab governor has been in charge, and the position of the chief secretary was converted into an adviser to the UT administrator. In 2016, the Centre tried to revert to the old practice of having an independent administrator by appointing a former IAS officer, K J Alphons. However, the move was met with strong opposition from the then-Punjab chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal, and other parties like Congress and AAP, resulting in its withdrawal.
Punjab's demand for the immediate transfer of Chandigarh to the state remains unwavering. During a recent meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Faridabad, the chief minister reiterated this demand. Punjab has a long-standing claim on Chandigarh, and the state believes that it rightfully belongs to them. The situation surrounding Chandigarh's administration is undoubtedly a complex one, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for this union territory.
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