No plan to introduce Bill on Chandigarh, says Union govt
POLITY – BILL/ACT
24 NOVEMBER 2025
- The Union Home Ministry said that the Centre has no intention of introducing a Constitution Amendment Bill to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution in the upcoming session of Parliament.
- The clarification came following outrage in Punjab with parties, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party, opposing the move which would pave the way for the appointment of an independent administrator in Chandigarh, bringing the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana under the direct control of the Ministry, similar to other Union Territories.
- The claim over Chandigarh has been a sensitive political issue ever since the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966.
- The November 21 Lok Sabha Bulletin had listed the Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill 2025 among 10 Bills proposed to be passed during the Winter Session of Parliament from December 1.
- The description said the Bill is proposed for discussion and passage to align Chandigarh with other Union Territories without legislatures — such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry — when its Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended.
- Currently, the Governor of Punjab is concurrently the Administrator of Chandigarh, and if the Bill is passed, the Union Territory will be governed by a Lieutenant-Governor.
- The Union Home Ministry now says that it has no intention to introduce the Bill in the Winter Session.
