Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday announced that the service conditions of all the employees of Chandigarh administration will be aligned to that of central civil services.
The announcement invited sharp criticism from political parties in Punjab, including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress party.
“..Today I want to give this good news to employees of the Chandigarh administration. From today, the service conditions of all employees of the Chandigarh administration will be aligned with the central civil services. This will bring big gains to the employees,” he said.
Mr. Shah was speaking after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of a slew of projects of Chandigarh Police here. With this decision, he said, the retirement age of the UT employees will increase from the existing 58 years to 60.
Taking a dig at Home Minister’s announcement, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema termed the decision a big blow to the rights of Punjab.
“MOH’s decision to impose Central government rules on employees of Chandigarh is in violation of the spirit of Punjab (Reorganisation) Act and must be reconsidered. This means denial of the right of Capital to Punjab forever. After changes in Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) rules, this is another big blow to the rights of Punjab,” Mr. Cheema said.
Union Territory - Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Mr. Cheema added that at the time of reorganisation, an arrangement surrounding Chandigarh was made. Accordingly, 60% of employees are from Punjab and 40% from Haryana. He said that Punjab government rules are applicable to employees of Chandigarh, but the Central government’s announcement without taking Punjab into confidence is absolutely authoritarian.
Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira termed the announcement dictatorial and aimed at usurping Punjab’s rights over Chandigarh.
“We strongly condemn the dictatorial decision of the BJP to usurp the rights of Punjab over 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 share of 60% control over the UT,” he said.
