3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Nov 24, 2025 01:36 AM IST
The clarification comes hours after the state BJP held a core committee meeting on Sunday morning, in which members unanimously resolved to protect Punjab’s interests. (Express Photo)
A day after a Bill to include Chandigarh in Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to make regulations for the Union Territory and legislate directly, figured in a tentative list of Lok Sabha business for the winter session next month and led to an uproar in Punjab, the Centre said Sunday the proposal was “still under consideration” and it had “no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect” in the upcoming session of Parliament.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025, seeking to “include the Union Territory of Chandigarh in Article 240 of the Constitution of India, in alignment with other Union Territories without legislatures – namely, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry (when its Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended)”, was mentioned in Lok Sabha’s tentative list of 10 new Bills for “introduction, consideration and passing”.
Following protests in Punjab where parties saw the Bill as clearing the way for the appointment of an independent Administrator or Lt Governor – since 1984, the Governor of Punjab has been the Administrator of Chandigarh – and weakening the state’s claim to the city which is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, there was clearly a rethink in New Delhi.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a post on X, said, “The proposal only to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal. The proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the States of Punjab or Haryana.”
“A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on this matter. The Central Government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament,” the MHA said.
The Opposition Congress targeted the government after the MHA statement. Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said, “Just yesterday the Parliament Bulletin for the forthcoming Winter Session had listed for introduction a Constitution Amendment Bill to enable the appointment of a full-time LG for Chandigarh. This was immediately and aggressively opposed by the INC and other parties in Punjab whose Governor is also the Administrator of Chandigarh.”
“The Union Home Ministry now says that it has no intention to introduce the Bill in the Winter Session. Yet another example of the Modi Govt’s FAST approach to governance – First Announce, Second Think,” Ramesh said on X.
Jatin Anand is an Assistant Editor with the national political bureau of The Indian Express. With over 16 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is a seasoned expert in national governance, electoral politics, and bureaucratic affairs. Having covered high-stakes beats including the Election Commission of India (ECI), intelligence, and urban development, Jatin provides authoritative analysis of the forces shaping Indian democracy. He is an alumnus of Zakir Husain Delhi College (DU) and the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, where he specialized in Print Journalism.
Expertise
High-Stakes Beat Coverage: Throughout his decade-and-a-half career, Jatin has covered some of the most sensitive and influential beats in the country, including:
The Election Commission of India (ECI): Monitoring electoral policy, reforms, and the conduct of national and state polls.
National Security & Intelligence: Reporting on the internal mechanisms and developments within India's security apparatus.
Urban Development: Analyzing the policies and bureaucratic processes driving the transformation of India’s cities.
National Political Bureau: In his current role, he tracks the intersection of policy and politics, offering deep-dive reporting on the Union government and national political movements.
Academic Credentials:
Zakir Husain Delhi College (DU): Alumnus of one of Delhi's premier institutions.
Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai: Specialized in Print Journalism at India's most prestigious journalism school. ... Read More
