Stung by Centre move, Punjab Assembly resolution reiterates claim on Chandigarh

Moving the resolution, Mann asked the Centre to honour the principles of federalism enshrined in the Constitution and not to take any steps which may disturb the balance of the administration of Chandigarh and that of other common assets.

“Punjab was reorganised through the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 wherein, the state of Punjab was reorganised into the state of Haryana, Union Territory of Chandigarh and some parts of Punjab were given to the then Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh. Since then, a balance was maintained in the administration of common assets like the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), by way of giving management positions in some proportion to the nominees of the state of Punjab and state of Haryana,” Mann said.

The CM said that through many of its recent actions the Centre has been trying to upset this balance.

“The Centre has advertised the posts of members of BBMB to officers of all states and central government, whereas these posts were traditionally filled up by officers from Punjab and Haryana. Similarly, Chandigarh administration has always been managed by officers of Punjab and Haryana in the ratio of 60:40,” the resolution said.

“However, recently central government has posted officers from outside to Chandigarh and has introduced central civil service rules for employees of Chandigarh administration, which goes completely against the understanding in the past,” it said.

Reiterating the state’s claim on the Chandigarh, Mann said that the city was created as the capital of Punjab. “In all past precedents, whenever a state has been divided, the capital remains with the parent state. Punjab, therefore, has been laying its claim for complete transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. In the past, this House has passed a number of resolutions urging the Centre to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab.”

“For maintaining harmony and taking the sentiments of people into account, this House once again recommends to the state government to raise the matter with Central government to immediately transfer Chandigarh to Punjab. This House also requests the central government to honour the principles of federalism enshrined in our Constitution and not to take any step which may disturb the balance in the administration of Chandigarh and that of other common assets like BBMB,” he said.

While members of the ruling Aam Aaadmi Party, members of the Opposition, including Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party, supported the resolution, BJP member Ashwini Sharma opposed it. Sharma said the resolution is aimed at misleading the “innocent people of the state to cover up for the non-performance of the successive governments”.

Asking what did the Centre do to violate the provisions of the Reorganisation Act, He said, “From March 1, 1986 to March 31, 1991, the Central Service rules were applicable on the employees of Chandigarh. Later, Punjab’s pay scale became more lucrative and the employees demanded it. Now, the UT employees have again sought central rules. If you want those employees to be governed by Punjab rules then you imolement the sixth pay commission.”

Later, Sharma and the other BJP member, Jangi Lal Mahajan, staged a walkout claiming they were not given enough time to speak.

Mann, meanwhile, addressing the House, said, “I guarantee the people of the state that I will fight for the rights of the state, be it in the Vidhan Sabha or Parliament or on any other platform”.

He said in the coming days, he will seek time from the president, the prime minister and the Union home minister over the issue and assured the House that Punjab’s side will be strongly put up before them. He urged all parties to come together to protect the interests of Punjab.

While Mann was addressing the House, Independent MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh disrupted the proceedings by raising objections to his speech. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan named him following which Inder Pratap had to leave the House.

Earlier, taking part in discussion, senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa urged Mann to consult the Advocate General and explore all legal remedies available to the state. He said that Punjab had not voted for BJP in recent elections and this was the party’s way of getting back. He said Centre was testing waters and if Punjab did not react then they would try to give state’s waters to Haryana.

He also took strong objection to Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema charging successive Congress governments with neglecting the state’s interests.

Another Congress member, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said, “People of Punjab gave you (AAP) a massive mandate. You have to take this fight forward. We are all with you. Whatever is needed to protect Punjab’s interests, we are with you,” he said.

SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali said he supported the government over the issue.

SEVENTH RESOLUTION PASSED IN 57 YEARS

During the debate on the resolution moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Aman Arora said this was the seventh time that the Punjab Vidhan Sabha has passed a resolution staking claim on Chandigarh. The first such resolution was brought in by Acharya Prithvi Singh Azad on May 18, 1967 and the second by Chaudhary Balbir Singh on January 19, 1970 — both during Justice Gurnam Singh’s government. Sukhdev Singh Dhillon brought a similar resolution on September 7, 1978 during Shiromani Akali Dal government led by Parkash Singh Badal. Baldev Singh Mann (October 31, 1985) and Om Parkash Gupta (March 6, 1986) had moved resolutions during Surjit Singh Barnala’s government. On December 23, 2014, Gurdev Singh Jhoondan had brought a resolution when Parkash Singh Badal was the chief minister. The resolution moved by Mann on Friday was seventh.