Proposal on Chandigarh doesn’t alter administrative structure, no final decision yet: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated on Sunday (November 23, 2025) that the Centre has no intention of introducing a constitutional amendment bill to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution.

It said that the proposal to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration by the Central Government.”

The MHA said, “No final decision has been made 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 made only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for concern regarding this matter. The Central Government has no intention of introducing any bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament,” the Home Ministry further stated.

The Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to include the Union Territory of Chandigarh in Article 240 of the Constitution of India, aligning it with 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 Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended).

“Chandigarh is the joint capital of Haryana and Punjab. Currently, the Governor of Punjab is concurrently the Administrator of Chandigarh, and if the bill is passed, the Union Territory will be governed by a Lieutenant Governor.”

According to a bulletin of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the Centre has proposed to include the Union Territory (UT) of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly.

This could pave the way for the appointment of an independent administrator in Chandigarh, similar to when it had an independent Chief Secretary in the past, a move that evoked sharp reactions from the Congress, the Akali Dal and the AAP.

(with PTI inputs)