Bhagwant Mann’s resolution to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab and the old war over the capital

“Will battle for declare over Chandigarh,” Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had stated final week after Union House Minister Amit Shah introduced that central companies guidelines will probably be carried out for all staff in Chandigarh. Mann has caught to his phrase. The newly inducted CM moved a decision throughout a particular session of the Vidhan Sabha on Friday, demanding an instantaneous switch of Chandigarh to Punjab.

What does this imply for the state? And what’s the age-old battle over Chandigarh all about? We have a look.

Reigniting the battle

“For sustaining concord and taking the emotions of individuals into consideration, this Home as soon as once more recommends to the state authorities to lift the matter with the central authorities to right away switch Chandigarh to Punjab,” in response to the decision moved by Mann within the state Meeting.

“Punjab was reorganised by the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, whereby, the state of Punjab was reorganised into the state of Haryana, Union Territory of Chandigarh, and a few elements of Punjab got to the then Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh. Since then, a steadiness was maintained within the administration of frequent property just like the Bhakra Beas Administration Board by the use of giving administration positions in some proportion to the nominees of the state of Punjab and state of Haryana,” Mann stated whereas shifting the decision, reviews The Indian Categorical.

“Via lots of its current actions, the Centre has been attempting to upset this steadiness,” he added.

In the course of the ongoing debate, MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Social gathering, Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal stated that after this “assault” by the BJP-led Centre, they apprehended that the following assault can be on the waters of Punjab and the state’s riparian rights will probably be violated, reviews The Tribune.

Punjab’s grouse towards the Centre

The Chandigarh concern is again in focus after Amit Shah’s visited the state, put up the Punjab election outcomes, and introduced on 28 March that central service guidelines will apply to staff of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Till now Punjab service guidelines utilized to staff in Chandigarh. With the change to central guidelines, the retirement age of staff within the Union territory will increase from 58 to 60 years, and ladies staff at the moment are eligible for childcare go away of two years as a substitute of 1.

The announcement rattled politicians in Punjab, who consider that these developments are a violation of the Reorganisation Act. “This goes towards the letter and spirit of Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966. Punjab will battle strongly for its rightful declare over Chandigarh…,” Mann had tweeted.

Even Congress and the Akali Dali are on the identical web page because the ruling Aam Aadmi Social gathering.

Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira criticised the Centre’s “dictatorial choice” and stated it was a transfer “to usurp the rights of Punjab over Chandigarh”. He had stated that Chandigarh belonged to Punjab and the unilateral choice was not solely a direct assault on federalism but additionally an assault on the state’s share of 60 per cent management over the Union Territory.

Akali Dal’s Daljit Singh Cheema wrote on Twitter, “MOH’s (Ministry of House Affairs) choice to impose central authorities guidelines on staff of Chandigarh is in violation of the spirit of the Punjab Reorg (Reorganisation) Act and have to be reconsidered.”

What’s the Punjab (Reorganisation) Act?

From 1952 to 1966, when Haryana was carved out of Punjab, Chandigarh remained the capital of Punjab. In 1966, the state was divided into Punjab and Haryana with some elements coming below Himachal Pradesh.

Each Punjab and Haryana staked declare to Chandigarh because the capital. The Centre declared Chandigarh as a Union Territory, pending a decision. As per the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, Chandigarh was to be ruled by the Centre, however legal guidelines in drive in undivided Punjab utilized to the UT, in response to a report in The Indian Categorical. The properties in Chandigarh had been to be divided in a 60:40 ratio in favour of Punjab.

In the course of the reorganisation, the town of Chandigarh assumed the bizarre distinction of being the capital of Punjab and Haryana.

The Bhakra Beas Administration Board and the 6:40 ratio

Whereas addressing the state Meeting, Mann talked about the Bhakra Beas Administration Board (BBM), which regulates the provision of water and energy to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh. Not too long ago, the Centre revised the principles for the appointment of member (energy) and member (irrigation), who had been from Punjab and Haryana respectively and stated that they’ll now be picked from anyplace within the nation.

The Punjab CM additionally spoke in regards to the 60:40 ratio, the place the Chandigarh administration has been managed by officers from Punjab and Haryana. He complained that the Centre has “posted officers from exterior in Chandigarh”, which “goes fully towards the understanding prior to now”.

Why is the Centre meddling in Chandigarh?

Within the state Meeting election, the BJP suffered a giant loss, profitable solely two seats. Equally, within the municipal elections held in Chandigarh in December, the celebration was routed by the AAP, which grabbed 14 seats from it. Of the 35 seats within the Chandigarh civic physique, the BJP bagged 12, down from its earlier tally of 20 seats.

With two dismal performances, the celebration is doing all it may to woo these within the Union Territory, thought of a BJP stronghold, forward of the 2024 basic elections.

Punjab’s long-standing declare to Chandigarh

Prior to now, the Home has handed a number of resolutions urging the Centre to switch Chandigarh to Punjab, Mann stated on Friday.

The declare for Chandigarh dates again to the time when Indira Gandhi was the prime minister. She had promised that Haryana would get its personal capital and Chandigarh would go to Punjab. The Centre had even issued a proper communication on this regard on January 29, 1970, reviews The Indian Categorical. But it surely was not acted upon.

In 1985, below the Rajiv-Longowal accord, Chandigarh was to be handed over to Punjab on January 26, 1986, however the Rajiv Gandhi authorities withdrew on the final minute, the report says.

Haryana’s place

The 1970 paperwork counsel varied alternate options together with dividing Chandigarh. However that was not sensible because it’s a deliberate metropolis. Haryana was requested to make use of workplaces in Chandigarh for 5 years and was even given a grant of Rs 10 crore to arrange its capital. Nonetheless, it continues its operations from the UT.

In 2020, Haryana handed a decision within the Vidhan Sabha demanding 20 rooms within the advanced which were within the possession of Punjab.

The 2 states share a typical constructing within the Capitol Complicated of Chandigarh metropolis, which homes each their meeting halls.

For the reason that contemporary controversy emerged after Amit Shah’s announcement, Harayana, which has a BJP authorities in energy, has remained silent.

Nonetheless, Mann’s decision is prone to revive the outdated turf conflict.

With inputs from companies

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