No Final Decision On Chandigarh Proposal, No Change In Administrative Structure: MHA
The Ministry of Home Affairs, said, ''The proposal only to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration.''
New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry on Sunday clarified that no final decision has been taken on a proposal regarding the law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh. It said the proposal only aims to simplify the Centre’s law-making process and does not change Chandigarh’s governance structure or its ties with Punjab and Haryana.
The MHA stressed that concerns raised by political parties were misplaced, adding that any decision will be taken only after consultations with all stakeholders. It also confirmed that the Centre has no plan to introduce any Bill on this issue in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
Political reactions began after parliamentary bulletins mentioned a proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240, which allows the President to frame regulations for certain UTs. Parties feared it could alter Punjab’s stake in Chandigarh, but the MHA said the matter is still under examination and there is no need for concern.
What the Ministry of Home Affairs said?
The statement of Ministry of Home Affairs read, ''The proposal only to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal. The proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the States of Punjab or Haryana.''
It further read, ''A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on this matter. The Central Government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.''
What RLD leader Malook Nagar said?
Earlier, on Centre's proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill for the upcoming Winter Session in Chandigarh, RLD leader Malook Nagar said, "... This is in the interest of the state as well as the country. There is a lot of confusion about whether Chandigarh is the capital of Haryana or Punjab, or whether it exists as a Union Territory. Everything will become clear after the appointment of an Independent Administrator in Chandigarh..."
