Punjab Vidhan Sabha passes resolution asking for Chandigarh to be given to Punjab
Chandigarh, April 1
The Punjab Assembly on Friday passed a resolution seeking immediate transfer of Chandigarh to the state, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accusing the Centre of trying to upset the balance in the administration of the Union Territory and other common assets.
The resolution was moved by Mann in the absence of the two BJP legislators, who earlier staged a walkout from the House.
Except the BJP, members of all political parties, including the AAP, Congress, SAD and the lone BSP legislator came out in support of the resolution and dubbed the Centre’s move as “dictatorial and autocratic”.
The one-day special session comes amid a political row sparked by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement that central service rules will apply to the employees of Chandigarh.
Under the rules, retirement age of Chandigarh employees will increase from 58 to 60 and women employees will get childcare leave of two years instead of the current one year. The Centre has notified the rules. Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Mann said that in the coming days, they would seek time from the President, the prime minister and the Union home minister over this issue and assured the House that Punjab’s side will be strongly put up before them.
आज केंद्र की दमनकारी नीतियों के विरुद्ध पंजाब विधान सभा में प्रस्ताव पारित किया गया। चंडीगढ़ पर पंजाब के हक़ के लिए हर स्तर पर आवाज़ उठाई जाएगी। देश के लिए गोली खाने के लिए सबसे पहले अपना सीना आगे करने वाले शूरवीरों की धरती पंजाब के साथ अन्याय बर्दाश्त नहीं किया जाएगा।
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) April 1, 2022
He also urged all parties to come together to protect the interests of Punjab. PTI
