The Centre was considering bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 through the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, but the Home Ministry later clarified that Centre has no intention of introducing a Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Present Status of Chandigarh

• Chandigarh is a Union Territory (UT) created under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966
• It functions as the shared capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
• The Governor of Punjab holds additional charge as Administrator of Chandigarh by convention.
• The UT does not have its own elected Legislative Assembly, resulting in limited local legislative autonomy.
• Key Acts and laws of Punjab and Haryana extend to the city as it is their shared capital.

About Article 240

• Article 240 empowers the President of India to make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of certain union territories:
  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • Lakshadweep
  • Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
• The regulations made under Article 240 have the same legal force as an Act of Parliament.
• These regulations can amend or repeal any existing law, including laws made by Parliament, applicable to those Union Territories.
• The Article applies to Puducherry only when its Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended.

Key Consequences of Bringing Chandigarh Under Article 240

• Stronger Central Control:
  • The Union Government can make or amend or repeal laws through Presidential regulations, without Parliamentary debate.
  • Changes could be made by simply issuing a Presidential regulation.
  • Budgetary and policy decisions would be more firmly placed under Union oversight.
  • Example: Altering the mayor’s tenure could be done through an executive note, without placing the matter before Parliament.
• Independent Administration:
  • Chandigarh would get its own Administrator/Lieutenant Governor, similar to other UTs.
  • This would end the longstanding practice of the Punjab Governor holding additional charge.
• Dilution of Punjab and Haryana’s Influence:
  • It would dilute the “control and interference” of adjoining States (Punjab and Haryana).
  • Potential implications for the political and bureaucratic claims of both states regarding the city.
  • It raises questions about the future of Chandigarh’s role as a shared capital.

Benefits of the Proposed Change

• Autonomy: 
  • The proposal would reduce administrative overlap arising from dual control by Punjab and Haryana.
  • It enables a single, unified governance chain of command.
• Institutional Accountability:
  • A dedicated Administrator would enable faster decision-making, clearer assignment of responsibility and clarity of authority..
• Long-Term Governance Clarity:
• • The reform would remove ambiguity created by the shared capital arrangement and provide stability and predictable administrative framework.

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Alternative Governance Models

• Legislative Assembly Model: Granting Chandigarh an elected Legislative Assembly, similar to Puducherry or Jammu and Kashmir, could enhance democratic accountability.
• Strengthened Municipal Governance: Empowering the Mayor-in-Council system could improve local governance without full centralisation.
• Shared Governance Mechanism: A tripartite administrative arrangement involving the Centre, Punjab, and Haryana could balance federal and administrative interests.

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