Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, announced that Chandigarh Union Territory employees would receive the same benefits as Central government workers.
This has caused protests from the Punjabi political parties—the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, the opposition Akali Dal, and Congress. All alleged that it weakens Punjab’s claim to Chandigarh and is against federalism.
AAP claimed it was a panic reaction of the BJP following its huge victory in the state.
On Sunday, Mr. Shah stated that the Chandigarh UT administration employees would have their service conditions aligned with the central civil service. This will allow them to retire earlier and give women more time for child care.
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Mr. Shah declared that employees will “benefit enormously” and stated that “the retirement age for employees in the Union Territory will now rise from 58 to 60%.” Female employees will be entitled to two years of child care leave from the current year.”
The Chandigarh Police launched some new projects. Mr. Shah announced the news, stating that it was a long-standing demand from employees of Chandigarh’s administration.
“Today, Modi’s government has made a major decision… Tomorrow a notification is issued, and you will receive the benefit starting in the next financial year (April 1),” Mr. Shah stated.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Man and his ministers did not respond. Still, Manish Sisodia, a senior AAP leader and Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister, stated that BJP was “scared” by the AAP rise.
“From 2017 to 2022, Congress-ruled Punjab. Amit Shah did not take away Chandigarh’s powers. Amit Shah took Chandigarh’s power away as soon as AAP created Govt in Punjab,” Mr. Sisodia tweeted.
AAP had previously accused the Centre of trying to control Delhi’s bureaucrats. The Supreme Court is currently investigating the matter.
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Daljit Singh Cheema, leader of Shiromani Akali Dal, tweeted that “MOH’s (Ministry of Home Affairs) decision to impose central government regulations on Chandigarh employees was against the spirit of Punjab Reorg (Reorganisation Act) and should be reconsidered.”
“This is a permanent denial of the right to Capital to Punjab. Another tweet reads: “This is yet another blow to the rights and dignity of Punjab after changes in the BBMB rules (Bhakra Beas Management Board).
Later, Mr. Cheema told the media that Chandigarh was the joint capital of Punjab (and Haryana) and an “adhoc arrangement” of UT (Union Territory).
Sixty percent of employees are from Punjab and the remainder of Haryana…. it was agreed at the time that employees of the UT would be subject to the Punjab government rules. According to the Press Trust of India, he stated that this Centre decision was arbitrary and had not been discussed with the state of Punjab.
“Today’s decision is a conspiracy against Punjab’s claim to Chandigarh. He opposed it and added, “the decision is against federalism.”
Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Congress leader, said that his party condemned the decision.
We strongly condemn the BJP’s arbitrary decision to usurp control of Chandigarh from Punjab. He tweeted that it belongs to Punjab and that this unilateral decision is not just a direct attack against federalism but also an attack on Punjab’s 60 percent control over UT.”
Also, Mr. Khaira tweeted that Chandigarh was a disputed territory, and Rajiv Langowal Accord justified Punjab’s claim… It is deceit by no less than a government.”
