Political parties in Punjab hit the central government after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the terms of service for Chandigarh administration employees would be linked to central civic services.
Opposition parties, including the AAP, Punjab’s ruling party and the Congress and the Akali Dal, have accused the Centre’s move of undermining Punjab’s claim to Chandigarh and against the spirit of federalism.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia scoffed at the BJP, saying they were scared to see the “rising footprints” of the AAP. Sisodia said Shah did not seize power in Chandigarh when the Congress was ruling in Punjab. But soon after the formation of the AAP. In the Punjab government, the home minister announced the move because “the BJP is afraid to increase the footprint of the AAP”, he said.
From 2017 to 2022, the Congress ruled Punjab Amit Shah did not take away the power of Chandigarh then
With the formation of AAP government in Punjab, Amit Shah took over the services of Chandigarh.
The BJP fears the footsteps of the AAP. https://t.co/8Dnex4rcWG
– Manish Sisodia (msisodia) March 27, 2022
Earlier in Chandigarh, Amit Shah had said that the terms of service for the employees of the Union Territory of Chandigarh would now be integrated with the Central Citizen Services and this would benefit them “in a big way”.
Shah announced that the retirement age for workers in the Union Territory would now be 58 to 60 years, adding that female employees would now receive one to two years of childcare leave.
The AAP had earlier accused the Center of trying to control bureaucrats in Delhi, where it is in power. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema termed the move as a violation of the spirit of Punjab Reconstruction Act and denial of state capital rights.
Daljit Singh Chima said, “The decision of the MOH (Home Ministry) to impose rules of the Central Government on the employees of Chandigarh is a violation of the spirit of the Punjab Reorganization (Reorganization) Act and must be reconsidered.”
The decision of the MOH to impose rules of the Central Government on the employees of Chandigarh must be in violation of the spirit of the Punjab Rioragons Act and must be reconsidered. This means denying the right to capital of Punjab forever. After the change to BBMB, it was another big push for the rights of Punjab. – Dr. Daljit S. Chima (drcheemasad) March 27, 2022
“It means rejecting the capital of Punjab forever. After the change in BBMB (Vakra Beas Management Board) rules, it is another big push for the rights of Punjab, ”he added in another tweet.
“Chandigarh is the (general) capital of Punjab and ad hoc arrangements were made for UT. Sixty per cent of the employees were from Punjab and the rest from Haryana. The Centre’s decision was taken autocratically and without consulting the Punjab state, “Cheema later told the media.” Today’s decision is a conspiracy to weaken Punjab’s claim on Chandigarh. We oppose it, “he said, adding that” the decision is against the spirit of federalism. “
Congress has also condemned the Centre’s move, calling it a direct attack on federalism. “We strongly condemn the BJP’s dictatorial decision to deprive Punjab of control of Chandigarh. It belongs to Punjab and this unilateral decision is not only a direct attack on federalism but also an attack on Punjab’s 60 per cent control in UT, ”said Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
https://t.co/wFO71D7dfx We strongly condemn the BJP’s dictatorial decision to usurp Punjab’s control over control and this unilateral decision is not only a direct attack on federalism but also an attack on 60 per cent of the PB. % Control over UT-Khaira pic.twitter.com/U22NpIhfNP– Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) March 27, 2022
Khaira added, “I would like to remind the BJP that Chandigarh is a disputed area where Punjab’s claim has been justified by the Rajiv-Longowal Accord … it is a fraud and no less than the government”. Shah also touched on the work of the center. He said the incidence of Naxals and terrorism had come down drastically in the last seven years to strengthen the country’s internal security and during the BJP-led government.
However, Home Ministry sources said that Amit Shah only talked about getting central benefits for Chandigarh UT employees and added that it does not affect the power of Punjab in any way.
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