Sun Nov 23 08:33:37 UTC 2025: ## No Plans to Alter Chandigarh’s Governance, Centre Assures

Chandigarh, November 23, 2025 – The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a statement today reassuring residents of Chandigarh and the states of Punjab and Haryana that the Central Government has no immediate plans to introduce a constitutional amendment bill to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution.

The statement follows reports suggesting the Centre was considering including Chandigarh in Article 240, which governs Union Territories without legislatures, granting the President the power to make regulations and legislate directly. This sparked concerns about potential changes to the administrative structure and traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and Punjab and Haryana, both of which share the city as their capital.

According to the MHA, while a proposal to streamline the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory is under consideration, “No final decision has been made on this proposal.” The Ministry emphasized that 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.”

The MHA further stated that any decision will be made only after “adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh.” The ministry specifically denied any intention to introduce a bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

The now-shelved Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill 2025 proposed aligning Chandigarh with other Union Territories like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, ultimately allowing for the potential appointment of a Lieutenant Governor, rather than the current system where the Governor of Punjab concurrently serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh.

News of the potential amendment had drawn criticism from various political parties including the Congress, the Akali Dal, and the AAP.

This clarification from the MHA aims to quell anxieties and maintain the status quo regarding Chandigarh’s governance structure, at least for the foreseeable future.

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