‘No Final Decision on Chandigarh Yet’: Centre

• Centre says proposal still under consideration
• No Bill planned in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament
• Punjab parties, including BJP, strongly oppose move
• Govt says Chandigarh’s ties with Punjab, Haryana won’t be affected

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd Nov: Amid heated political reactions over reports that the Centre plans to bring Chandigarh under the President’s direct control, the Union Home Ministry on Saturday issued a clarification stating that “no final decision” has been taken. It further said any move on the administrative structure of the Union Territory would only follow consultations with all stakeholders.

The ministry also emphasised that it does not intend to introduce any Bill related to this issue in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament starting December 1.

In a statement shared on X, the Home Ministry said, “A proposal to ease lawmaking for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is under the central government’s consideration. No final decision has been made. This proposal does not contain anything about Chandigarh’s administration or its traditional ties with Punjab or Haryana. Any decision will be taken only after consulting all stakeholders and with Chandigarh’s interests in mind.”

Earlier, a Parliament bulletin mentioned the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposed placing Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution — allowing the President to frame regulations for the Union Territory directly. Currently, Chandigarh is administered by the Punjab Governor and serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

The reference triggered sharp opposition across the political spectrum in Punjab, including from the BJP’s state unit.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Centre of trying to “snatch” Punjab’s capital. “Our villages were destroyed to build Chandigarh, and only Punjab has the right over it. We will not give up and take necessary steps,” he stated.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring termed the idea “totally uncalled for”, warning of serious repercussions. Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal said the proposal was an attack on federal principles and vowed to resist it on “every front”.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also asserted Chandigarh’s identity as part of Punjab. “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. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first,” he said in a post on X.