Redesignation of UT Adviser as Chief Secy stirs political storm

The redesignation of UT Adviser’s post as Chief Secretary and increase in strength of IAS officers of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre in the UT Administration have stirred a political storm. These changes are being looked as an attempt to dilute Punjab’s rights over Chandigarh, the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana.

Punjab claims that ever since the reorganisation of states in 1966, it was decided that the Punjab Government will have 60 per cent share in officer posts in the Chandigarh Administration, while Haryana will have 40 per cent share. However, over the past few years, the number of officers coming here on deputation from Punjab has come down.

The Centre has increased the number of AGMUT cadre IAS officers in Chandigarh from nine to 11. However, on the nine positions held by IAS officers, two officers each from Punjab and Haryana, and five of the UT cadre are posted in Chandigarh. Also, there are four HCS officers and eight PCS officers posted on various positions in the city.

With the scrapping of the Adviser’s post, it appeared that there would be no chance of revival of the post of Chief Commissioner in near Future and the Administrator will remain the head of the Administration, said Ajay Jagga, an advocate. Originally, the UT was headed by a Chief Commissioner, but due to terrorism in 1984, after the appointment of the UT Administrator, the post was redesignated as Adviser.

Govt trampling Punjab’s right over UT: Speaker

Condemning the decision of the Central Government to redesignate the post, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan termed it as the trampling of Punjab’s right over Chandigarh.

The Speaker said the move was seen as a blatant disregard for the sensitive issue of Chandigarh’s status, which has been a long-standing point of contention between Punjab and the Union government.

Sandhwan emphasised that the redesignation of the post was not only an administrative anomaly but also an attempt to undermine Punjab’s legitimate claims over Chandigarh.

“We urge the Central Government to reconsider this decision and respect the rights of the people of Punjab,” Sandhwan added.

This development has sparked widespread concern among Punjab’s leaders and citizens, who see it as a deliberate attempt to erode the state’s authority. The Punjab Government has consistently maintained that Chandigarh is an integral part of the state and any decision regarding its administration should be taken in consultation with the state government.

A direct attack on state’s legitimate claim: Bajwa

Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has also denounced this decision of the Modi government, calling it a direct attack on Punjab’s legitimate claim over the city. Bajwa termed this move as a deliberate attempt to weaken the state’s position and marginalise the Punjabi community, which, he believes, is part of a broader agenda to undermine the state.

Bajwa emphasised that this was not merely an administrative change but also a strategic move by the Centre to further dilute Punjab’s rights. “Chandigarh, which was carved from Punjab’s villages, has always been a part of the state’s rightful claim. This move is an assault on Punjab’s dignity and a violation of the principles of federalism,” said Bajwa.

He also highlighted the earlier move by the Centre to raise a separate cadre for the Union Territory of Chandigarh, further weakening the 60:40 officer posting ratio between Punjab and Haryana.

Bajwa pointed out that the Centre’s decision to abolish the Adviser’s post and replace it with the Chief Secretary, following the example of Delhi, signals a broader effort to permanently convert Chandigarh into a Union Territory. “Chandigarh’s position was always meant to be temporary—until it was transferred to Punjab,” Bajwa said.

Bid to convert Chandigarh into permanent UT: SAD

The SAD said the Central Government was trying to convert Chandigarh from a temporary UT to a permanent one. This is dictatorial and highly undemocratic.

“The Centre has no right to alter the administrative arrangement of Chandigarh without consulting states of Punjab and Haryana. By doing so, the Centre is backtracking on the commitments made with Punjab at the time of reorganisation of states in 1966,” stated the SAD in a statement.

The SAD has reiterated that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and strongly demanded that the Centre must rollback its decision without any delay.

Govt undermining rights of Punjab: AAP

Punjab AAP president Aman Arora said it was another attempt of the Centre to undermine the rights of Punjab over Chandigarh. Only Punjab has the right over Chandigarh, which has been set up by uprooting villages of Punjab. He strongly opposed the BJP’s nefarious designs to weaken the rights of Punjab.

Decision unacceptable: Cong

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said this move was a clear attempt to undermine Punjab’s rightful claim over Chandigarh and raised serious concerns about the officer’s affiliation with the Punjab cadre. Taking such a decision without consulting Punjab is unacceptable and reflects a disregard for the state’s interests.

Attempt to take away Haryana’s admn rights: Surjewala

Expressing similar sentiments, Haryana Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Member Randeep Singh Surjewala stated the Central Government was trying to snatch away Haryana’s administrative rights over Chandigarh and this would not be accepted at any cost. Earlier in 2022, the Central Government implemented the Central Services Rules in Chandigarh, he added.

INLD demands Chief Secy for Haryana in UT

Meanwhile, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) demanded a Chief Secretary for Haryana in Chandigarh. Its president Rampal Majra said when Haryana was carved out of Punjab and became a new state, an agreement was reached that 60 per cent of Punjab cadre and 40 per cent of Haryana cadre administrative officers would be appointed to the administrative posts of Chandigarh. Till 2005, Haryana continued to get its share in Chandigarh, but after that, during the Congress and now the BJP government at the Centre, Haryana’s share in Chandigarh was gradually reduced. Earlier, officers from the Haryana quota were posted in all important departments of the UT, but now only a few departments are left where officers are being appointed on deputation.

Majra said under a well-planned conspiracy, preparations are being made to end Haryana’s right over Chandigarh. The INLD demanded the appointment of Haryana officers in all departments of Chandigarh on a 60:40 ratio and deputation of a Haryana cadre officer to the post of Chief Secretary of Chandigarh.