Chandigarh, March 26 — Amid rising concerns over its financial stability, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) House has approved the conversion of 2,888 outsourced posts into sanctioned positions. The move, aimed at providing job security to long-term contractual workers, will now be sent to the UT administration before final approval by the Centre.
The decision follows a sharp increase in outsourced staff, which surged from 3,072 in 2019-20 to 6,965 in 2024-25—a 126% rise. The hiring was carried out without prior House approval.
During the House meeting, MC officials defended the proposal, arguing that the sanctioned staff strength had remained unchanged for years, despite growing operational needs. They said regularising the posts would cap hiring and prevent unchecked recruitment.
Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar said the move would also protect workers from mass layoffs during future audits. “Staff working beyond the sanctioned posts could be rationalised and laid off if necessary,” he added.
While AAP councillor Hardeep Singh criticised the decision, calling the initial hiring unauthorised, he said councillors supported the sanctioning to avoid mass terminations.
The decision, however, contradicts recent directives by UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, who had called for workforce rationalisation and revenue generation.
