Chandigarh: The inside government will introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the winter session whence December 1. Its objective is to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution so that the President gets the power to directly make regulations and laws for this Union Territory. At present this right is workable to those union territories where there is no assembly.
What is the meaning of Article 240?
Article 240 of the Constitution gives the President the power to issue regulations for the administration, law and order, and good governance in unrepealable Union Territories. These regulations have the same effect as an act of Parliament. But where there is an Assembly, the President cannot make regulations.
Why is the Punjab government wrestling well-nigh this?
Punjab Senior Minister Bhagwant Mann tabbed it an wade on the rights of Punjab. He says that Chandigarh was a part of Punjab older moreover and will unchangingly remain so. Mann alleges that the inside government is trying to snatch the wanted of Punjab.
What allegations are Congress and Akali Dal making?
Congress leader Raja Wadding termed the move as unnecessary and said attempts to separate Chandigarh from Punjab could lead to serious consequences. Akali Dal senior Sukhbir Badal tabbed it a “breach of promise” by the Centre. They say that this summons paves the way for permanently excluding Chandigarh from the sweep of Punjab.
Why is Punjab's requirement on Chandigarh historical?
After partition, Lahore went to Pakistan, and Chandigarh was made the new wanted of Punjab. After the reorganization of 1966, it was supposed the joint wanted of both Punjab and Haryana. In many agreements, the Center moreover promised to hand over Chandigarh to Punjab, but this was never fulfilled.
What changes can be brought well-nigh in the wardship by the amendment?
Presently the wardship of Chandigarh is handled by the Governor of Punjab. If the summons is passed, a separate zookeeper can be scheduled for Chandigarh. In 2016, the Center had moreover tried to do this, but due to opposition from all the parties of Punjab, the plan could not be implemented.
What could happen next?
All the big parties of Punjab have united versus this bill.There is a possibility of heated debate on this issue in the Parliament session. Now it remains to be seen what stand the Center takes on this controversial step and whether there is any major transpiration in the situation in Chandigarh or not.
