AAP urges govt not to override rights of Punjab govt in Chandigarh admin
Darpan News Desk IANS, 30 Mar, 2022 10:59 AM
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday urged the union government not to override the rights of the elected government of Punjab by implementing the central laws on the administration of Chandigarh, a Union Territory.
Raising the issue during 'Zero Hour' in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said that the state of Punjab does not have its own capital like other states. He further said that Chandigarh was made joint capital of Punjab and Haryana in 1966 and under the provision of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the state of Punjab is providing 60 per cent staff to the UT administration whereas Haryana is providing 40 per cent for the same.
"Recently, the central government intends to implement central laws on the Chandigarh Administration. Newly elected Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has decided to regularise all contractual employees of Punjab. If the central laws will be applied on the Chandigarh UT, then many of the contractual employees working in the UT office will be barred from these facilities," Singh further said.
He also urged the government not to encroach the rights of the Punjab government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 27 had announced that Central Civil Service Rules will be implemented for all employees under Chandigarh Administration.
This decision has evoked sharp criticism from Punjab leaders who, cutting across party lines, termed it "an encroachment on Punjab's rights".
If the Central Civil Service Rules are implemented, all employees will get the pay scale under the Central service rules but also this will enhance the retirement age from 58 to 60 years and the maternity leave will be extended to two years from existing one year instead of existing one year for women employees.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Amarinder Singh said his government would be happy to work in conjunction with the Centre to ensure adherence to proper Covid-19 protocols, including testing and vaccination of pilgrims using the corridor.
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Former Congress President and Sonia Gandhi's son, Rahul Gandhi, was also present during the meeting. The meeting was held at Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath here.
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Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) to cancel or revisit all the "one-sided" pacts with private companies that are not contractually obligated to supply sufficient power to meet the state's peak demand during the paddy sowing and summer season.
