Punjab CM moves resolution in assembly seeking immediate transfer of Chandigarh to state

Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday moved an official resolution in the Punjab assembly on the immediate transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.

"For maintaining harmony and taking the sentiments of people into account, this house once again recommends to the state government to raise the matter with central government to immediately transfer Chandigarh to Punjab," read the resolution.

Reviving the decades-old demand, the resolution stated that whenever a state has been divided earlier, the Capital remained with the parent state.

Bhagwant Mann said Punjab was reorganised through the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, wherein Punjab was reorganised into the state of Haryana, Union Territory of Chandigarh and some parts of Punjab were given to the then Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh.

The resolution requested the Central government to honour the principles of federalism enshrined in the Constitution and not to take any steps which may disturb the balance in the administration of Chandigarh and that of other common assets like the BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board).

It said through many of its recent actions, the Central government has been trying to upset this balance.

Similarly, the Chandigarh administration has always been managed by the officers of Punjab and Haryana in the ratio of 60:40.

"However, recently the Central government has posted outside officers to Chandigarh and has introduced Central Civil Service Rules for the employees of the Chandigarh administration, which goes completely against the understanding in the past," said the Chief Minister.

At the time of reorganisation of Punjab in 1966, Chandigarh assumed the unique distinction of being the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, even as it was declared a union territory and was placed under the direct control of the Centre.