The uproar over Shah's announcement

The announcement by Union home minister Amit Shah to extend the central service rules to employees of the Union Territory of Chandigarh has raised apprehensions in Punjab's political circles that the state’s claim on Chandigarh will be diluted. The political parties in Punjab, including the ruling AAP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), termed the move as infringement of Punjab’s rights, attack on federalism and long-term loss for Punjabi language.

The change in rules also comes close on the heels of Punjab’s objections to the alleged “diminishment” of Punjab-cadre officers in the UT administration. Punjab had taken serious exception to the appointment of an AGMUT-cadre officer to the post of the CITCO managing director, which it considers reserved for a Punjab-cadre officer. While it maintains that UT is to be manned by Punjab and Haryana officers in the 60:40 ratio, UT officials argue that there is no statutory stipulation on this. However, BJP leaders, including former MP Satya Pal Jain, have contended that new service rules will not impact status of Chandigarh vis-à-vis Punjab. In 2016, the Centre’s move to appoint retired bureaucrat KJ Alphons as Chandigarh administrator, splitting the post from Punjab governor, was put on hold after objection from the then SAD government in Punjab. Since 1984, the Punjab governor is also UT administrator.

Punjab political parties’ take

The political leaders in today’s special session termed the move as an attack on nation’s federal structure and put forward suggestions to launch an agitation, take an all-party delegation to the Centre and also explore the legal recourse. CM Bhagwant Mann while concluding the debate in the house called upon the house to launch an agitation and take up the matter with the President, Prime Minister and the Home Minister. According to Congress’ Partap Singh Bajwa, the matter be taken up with the Prime Minister for reversal of the decision, while Sukhpal Khaira suggested the house to look for legal options and offered to fight against the Centre’s unilateral decision. Bahujan Samaj party’s Nachhatar Pal termed it a violation of the Constitution, however, Bharatiya Janta Party’s Ashwani Sharma favoured the move as the decision was applicable from 1966 to 1986 and further extended for five years to 1991 and later was shifted on Punjab pattern when state offered higher salaries. “There is no infringement of Punjab’s rights,” he said.