Punjab will fight against Centre's Chandigarh move, says CM Mann

Ruling party AAP, Congress and Akali Dal has criticised union home minister Amit Shah's announcement to extend central government benefits to Chandigarh administration employees. Punjab will fight strongly for its "rightful claim over Chandigarh", Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in his reaction to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement, said the move is driven by the BJP's nervousness, said Mann's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which won the recent Punjab election. Mann on Monday also accused the central government of violating the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966 by bringing in officers from other states and services into the Chandigarh administration.

Central Govt has been stepwise imposing officers and personnel from other states and services in Chandigarh administration. This goes against the letter and spirit of Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966. Punjab will fight strongly for its rightful claim over Chandigarh…

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 28, 2022

Amit Shah, declaring that Chandigarh's employees would benefit in a big way, had said on Sunday: "The retirement age of employees in the Union Territory will now go up from 58 to 60 years and women employees will now get child care leave of two years from the current one year."  From the upcoming financial year (April 1) you will get the benefit, Shah had said. 

Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema said, "Ministry of Home Affairs decision to impose central government rules on employees of Chandigarh is in violation of the spirit of the Punjab Reorg (Reorganisation) Act and must be reconsidered." "This means denial of right of Capital to Punjab for ever. After changes in the BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) rules, this is another big blow to the rights of Punjab," he said. 

Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira said his party also condemns the decision. "We strongly condemn dictatorial decision of BJP to usurp upon the rights of Punjab over control of Chandigarh. It belongs to Punjab and this unilateral decision is not only a direct attack on federalism but also attack on Punjab's share of 60 per cent control over UT," he said.