Punjab CM expresses concern over UT raising its own cadre

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 10

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday expressed concern over the issue of Chandigarh raising its own cadre, thus eroding Punjab’s 60 per cent share in the UT Administration.

Responding quickly to his concern, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore offered to order an audit of employees in Chandigarh to ensure that the 60:40 ratio between Punjab and Haryana is maintained.

Capt Amarinder Singh and Badnore, along with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, were sharing a dais at an event here on Tuesday evening.

The development assumes significance as it came soon after it was reported in these columns on June 29 that strength of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Mizoram Union Territories (AGMUT)-cadre IAS officers has touched a new high, while Punjab and Haryana’s share in the present administrative set-up in the joint capital Chandigarh remains the same.

Of the total 11 IAS officers presently serving in the UT Administration, six are of the AGMUT-cadre, while three are from Punjab and only two from Haryana. Moreover, two more IAS officers of the AGMUT cadre had been recently posted in Chandigarh and they are likely to join duties here shortly. With this, eight of the total 13 IAS officers in the UT Administration would be of the AGMUT cadre, probably the highest-ever.

However, the sanctioned strength of the AGMUT-cadre posts in Chandigarh is only 2. Moreover, as per the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) instructions issued on November 4, 1996, in accordance with the Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966, the ratio of 60:40 is to be maintained between Punjab and Haryana for filling posts in Chandigarh.

Pertinently, Punjab and Haryana had been repeatedly impressing upon the Centre to give more share to their officers in the Chandigarh Administration. Successive Chief Ministers of both states had time and again taken up the matter with the successive Prime Ministers and Home Ministers.

Issue reported in these columns on June 29

The development assumes significance as it came soon after it was reported in these columns on June 29 that strength of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Mizoram Union Territories (AGMUT)-cadre IAS officers has touched a new high, while Punjab and Haryana’s share in the present administrative set-up in the joint capital Chandigarh remains the same.