CHANDIGARH, November 23 — Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Sunday sought to calm political tensions surrounding the Chandigarh governance proposal, saying allegations that the Centre is moving to erode Punjab’s authority over the Union Territory are false. He asked parties to stop, what he termed, “fear-based politics” around the issue.
The controversy intensified on Saturday after reports suggested the Centre intended to place Chandigarh under Article 240 through the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. The government has since withdrawn the proposal. Calling the reaction exaggerated, Bittu said the anger was fuelled by misinformation. “This is baseless, emotional manipulation,” he remarked. “Nothing — absolutely nothing — is happening that affects Punjab’s rights over Chandigarh.”
Bittu noted that he was the only Punjab representative in the Union Cabinet and said he was speaking from responsibility, not sentiment. “Chandigarh is ours. Delhi is ours. Punjab is ours. And nothing will be done that Punjabis cannot accept,” he stated.
His comments followed a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which said the Centre was merely evaluating a proposal to streamline legislation for the UT and had no intention to alter the territory’s governance character or its relationship with Punjab and Haryana. The ministry said any action would be preceded by wide consultation.
Addressing suggestions that the Centre might introduce a Lieutenant Governor or adopt a Delhi-style model in Chandigarh, Bittu said, “Punjab’s Governor is Chandigarh’s Administrator. These L-G rumours are lies.”
He defended the Centre’s policy to align Chandigarh employees’ service conditions with Central rules, saying the move had helped many Punjab-origin staff members. He accused the Congress, AAP and SAD of manufacturing unrest without reviewing the actual provisions. He added that the Panjab University Senate election schedule would be cleared by the authorities “within days.”
Bittu appealed for restraint during the Sikh community’s remembrance observances, saying the government was committed to protecting Punjab’s interests.
