Government lists Bill that could pave way for L-G to administer Chandigarh

In a move that will grant the President powers to make rules regarding the Union Territory of Chandigarh, including powers to appoint a Lieutenant Governor to administer it, the Union Government has listed for introduction in the upcoming winter session of Parliament a new constitution amendment Bill.

Related news: Punjab CM Mann, Congress, SAD oppose Bill to allow Prez make legislations for Chandigarh directly

The Constitution 131^st Amendment Bill-2025 seeks to include the Union Territory of Chandigarh in Article 240 of the Constitution of India, in alignment with other Union Territories without legislatures, namely Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Puducherry (when its Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended).

Article 240 empowers the President to make regulations for the peace, progress, and good government of certain Union territories, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

These regulations have the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament. This power is particularly important for Union Territories that do not have their own Legislative Assemblies, allowing the President to administer them directly.

The Bill basically grants the President powers to administer the listed UTs. These powers can include direct legislations, change in administrative structure of the UT and anything else pertaining to the UT. All UTs currently covered by Article 240 are administered by LGs directly appointed by the President unlike the prevailing structure in Chandigarh, where the Punjab Governor is also the UT Administrator.

The fear that the Bill has opened doors for the government to alter structures and processes pertaining to Chandigarh have given rise to misgivings in Punjab with the AAP and the Congress slamming the Bill already, though its final intent will only be known when it is piloted in the Winter Session of Parliament. Right now, the Bill has only been listed with no clarity on what the Central Government intends to do by covering Chandigarh under Article 240.

Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Vikramjit Singh Sahney was the first politician from the state to red flag the Bill on Saturday.

Sahney urged all MPs from Punjab, cutting across party lines, to immediately call upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to agitate against the piloting of the Bill that proposes to dilute Punjab’s claim over the capital, which Haryana also claims.

“Chandigarh is currently administered by the Punjab Governor, and with the new law, it is likely to be administered by an independent administrator. With the new law, it would have similar administration rules such as Lakshadweep and others, and could have an independent administrator.

“Punjab’s claims on Chandigarh have historical significance. Chandigarh was made capital of Punjab after the Partition as Lahore went to Pakistan,” Sahney said.

He said after the 1966 Punjab Reorganisation, Chandigarh was made capital of Punjab and Haryana.

“Then under multiple accords the Centre promised to make Chandigarh the capital of Punjab. I request all MPs from Punjab to immediately call upon the Home Minister to discuss the issue,” Sahney said.

The development comes barely days after the government withdrew a controversial notification that sought to change the governance structure of Panjab University, an inter-state body corporate.

It also follows a meeting of the Northern Zonal Council where Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made a case for transfer of Chandigarh to the state.