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BJP flays Punjab assembly’s resolution seeking Chandigarh’s transfer to state
Former MP and additional solicitor general of India Satya Pal Jain says the switch to central pay scales in Chandigarh has been done under Article 309 of the Constitution, which authorises the central government to frame rules
Senior Chandigarh-based Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have criticised the Punjab assembly’s resolution against imposition of central services rules in Chandigarh.
Former MP and additional solicitor general of India Satya Pal Jain said, “The switch to central pay scales in Chandigarh has been done under Article 309 of the Constitution, which authorises the central government to frame rules. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha or the Punjab government has no power to reject or pass resolution against the rules framed by the Union government by exercising powers given to it by the Constitution of India.”
Former Chandigarh BJP president Sanjay Tandon demanded that the Chandigarh AAP councillors and the party unit should clarify if it also supported the Punjab assembly’s resolution.
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He said the AAP was trying to play divisive and disruptive politics in the region. Hailing the announcement made by Union home minister Amit Shah regarding introduction of central service rules in Chandigarh, he said it was a long-awaited bonanza for the UT employees and bizarre that the AAP councillors had not welcomed it.
Jain said in 1966, Punjab was reorganised under the Punjab Reorganisation Act on the basis of Shah Commission’s recommendations. It had recommended the inclusion of entire Kharar tehsil, of which Chandigarh was a part, in Haryana. But the then central government gave Kharar town to Punjab and Chandigarh, with 23 villages, was made a Union territory.
“The resolution passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday is only a repetition of the resolution passed earlier. It seems to be an attempt to divert the attention of the state from burning issues. The attitude of the Punjab government is anti-employee and anti-people,” said Jain.
