Amritsar: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has proposed a resolution in the state assembly on Friday (April 1, 2022) seeking immediate transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. It accuses the central government of trying to disturb the balance in the administration of the Union Territory. At the same time, there is a demand for immediate transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.
It is worth mentioning that Chandigarh is a Union Territory as well as the capital of both Punjab and neighbouring Haryana. The Central government is amending the service rules for employees of the Chandigarh administration. This is benefiting the employees of the Chandigarh administration like the central government officials. In his resolution passed by the Assembly, Bhagwant Mann has said that as per the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966, Punjab was reorganised into the state of Haryana. The Union Territory of Chandigarh and parts of Punjab were handed over to the then Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Mann further said, "Since then, a balance was pointed out in the administration of common assets like Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMS) by giving management posts in some proportion to the nominees of the state of Punjab and Haryana. Through many of its recent actions, the Central Government is trying to disturb this balance.'' Bhagwant Mann said, "Similarly, the Chandigarh administration has always been managed in the ratio of 60:40 by the authorities of Punjab and Haryana. However, recently the central government has deployed outside officers in Chandigarh and introduced central civil service rules for the employees of the Chandigarh Administration, which is in complete violation of the agreements reached in the past.''
The AAP government's move comes days after the central government's decision to extend the central service rules for government employees in Chandigarh. In it, the Centre had said that the employees of Chandigarh Administration will get the same benefit as their counterparts working in the Central government. This decision of the central government was criticised by the AAP government of Punjab. Earlier, the employees of Chandigarh were under the Punjab Service Rules. Now, as per the Centre's rules, the retirement age of government employees will be increased from 58 to 60. Women can also avail of 2 years of maternity leave now, as per the Centre Service Rules. Following this, opposition parties in the state had alleged that it would weaken Punjab's claim on Chandigarh.
Let us know that there has been a dispute between Punjab and Haryana over Chandigarh for more than 50 years. Both the states stake their claim over Chandigarh. Interestingly, Himachal Pradesh also claims parts of Chandigarh.
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