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Punjab to raise claim on Chandigarh as its exclusive capital at North Zone Council meeting, CM Mann likely to attend

Last year, the item was dropped from the agenda in the standing committee meeting of NZC held in Chandigarh, terming it a "bilateral issue" between Haryana and Punjab.

3 min readChandigarhNov 14, 2025 01:47 PM IST

Sunil Jakhar reminded CM Bhagwant Mann of his letter urging a High Court-monitored probe into the state's drug and corruption money trail. (File)

Amid a demand for autonomy, the Punjab Government will once again raise the issue of the state’s “exclusive right on UT of Chandigarh as its capital” in the upcoming North Zone Council (NZC) meeting in Gurgaon on November 17.

Last year, the item was dropped from the agenda in the standing committee meeting of NZC held in Chandigarh in October, terming it a “bilateral issue” between Haryana and Punjab.

However, sources in the Punjab Government said that the issue would be taken up this time at all costs. “The government had written to the Ministry of External Affairs to include it in the agenda. However, the copy of the agenda received by us states that the issue is deemed to be resolved. I am yet to check if there is any change in it. I will be able to take it up again tomorrow. The Centre should be careful now after the Panjab University fiasco. It is too hot an issue to handle. Such issues cannot be resolved bilaterally. What is the North Zone Council for if these items are not to be taken up? The state government is resolute that it will be taken up,” said a functionary of the government.

The government officer mentioned that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will most likely be attending the meeting. “If a state’s CM is sitting in the meeting and raising the issue vociferously, how can anyone deny. CM’s plan to attend the meeting is not finalised yet. If it is finalised, then he will certainly raise it. It does not matter if it is not on the agenda,” he said

CM Mann had not attended the meeting last year.

“The issue comes up in every NZC meeting. Most of the agendas in the NZC meeting are only taken forward in the next meeting. “There is actually no resolution,” said an officer who has been attending the NZC meetings every year for over a decade.

The meeting is attended by chief secretaries and administrative secretaries from Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Ladakh.

“What is the point if 100 officials from six states and the Centre gather at the meeting, spend crores from the exchequer, and the issues do not get resolved. The representatives of the Centre keep asking us to resolve the issues bilaterally. What is the need for this meeting then?” he asked.

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During last year’s meeting, 68 items were taken up for discussion, and Punjab and Haryana squabbled over several issues, including the contentious Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal project. A few issues were deferred, while others, such as SYL, were listed for the next meeting.

Punjab had strongly opposed the SYL Canal project, saying that it did not have any water, as was evident from the groundwater report. The state also demanded that Punjab be given a share of water from the Yamuna, which was opposed by Haryana.

3 issues related to Punjab likely to be taken up

Three issues related to Punjab, including the SYL project, sharing from the Yamuna waters, and the setting up of mini hydel plants on 27 slopes on the Bhakra Main Line, are on this year’s agenda.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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