Centre advances Bill to administer Chandigarh through Lieutenant Governor

The Centre has proposed a constitutional amendment to place Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240, enabling the appointment of an independent Lieutenant Governor to administer the Union Territory.

- MPOST BUREAU

The move is set to be introduced as The Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Winter session of Parliament commencing December 1, according to bulletins issued by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The proposal has sparked sharp political backlash in Punjab, where leaders across parties say the step weakens the state's longstanding claim to Chandigarh, which serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

The Bill seeks to include Chandigarh alongside other Union Territories without legislatures such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry when its Assembly is dissolved or suspended.

If enacted, the UT would be administered by an independent administrator operating under Article 240. Currently, the Punjab Governor also functions as the Administrator of Chandigarh.

Under Article 240, the president has the power to issue regulations for the governance of certain Union Territories. These regulations hold the same force as an Act of Parliament and may repeal or amend laws applicable to the territory. However, the power ceases when a legislature established under Article 239A begins functioning, as applies to Puducherry.

Since the reorganisation of Punjab on November 1, 1966, Chandigarh was initially administered independently by the chief secretary.