New Delhi/Chandigarh, 23 Nov 

The Union Home Ministry on Sunday said that it has no intention to bring the proposed Bill on Chandigarh in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament and asserted that the proposal doesn't aim to change traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and Punjab and Haryana.

This comes a day after a bulletin of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha listed the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 among the provisional list of 10 bills for the upcoming session beginning 1 December.

The Bill that proposes to bring Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly, sparked sharp reactions from leaders in Punjab.

"A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on this matter. The Central government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament," the ministry said in a statement.

"The proposal only to simplify the central government's law-making process for the Union territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Central government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal," a spokesperson of the ministry said.

The ministry said the proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh's governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change "traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the states of Punjab or Haryana". Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

Earlier, Punjab’s BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said he would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and request him to withdraw the bill. 

“The sentiments of Punjab cannot be ignored. Chandigarh is just not a geographical piece. Sentiments of Punjab are attached to it. There should be no ambiguity about it," said Jakhar.

The ruling AAP in Punjab has also created a storm about the bill, while the Congress said the Centre should “first think, then act.” 

Punjab parties takes a dig at Chandigarh bill

With the Union Home Ministry stating that it has no intention to bring the proposed bill on Chandigarh in Parliament's Winter session, the Congress on Sunday took a swipe at the Modi government, claiming it is yet another example of its "first announce, second think" approach to governance.

Congress general secretary in-charge (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said that just yesterday, the Parliament Bulletin for the forthcoming Winter Session had listed for introduction a Constitution Amendment Bill to enable the appointment of a full-time LG for Chandigarh.

This was immediately and aggressively opposed by the Congress and other parties in Punjab whose Governor is also the Administrator of Chandigarh, Ramesh said on X.

The Union Home Ministry now says that it has no intention to introduce the Bill in the Winter Session, he said.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal vehemently opposed the Centre's proposed move, calling it a "direct attack" on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights.

"The BJP-led central government's attempt to eliminate Punjab's rights over Chandigarh through constitutional amendment is not part of a simple move, but a direct attack on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights. This mentality of undermining the federal structure and depriving Punjabis of their rights is extremely dangerous," Kejriwal said in a post on X.

Additionally, with his party facing flak over the Centre proposing a law to appoint an independent administrator in Chandigarh, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, assuring that the "confusion" regarding the Union territory will be resolved.