Punjab CM challenges Centre's decision to bring Chandigarh under Centre's service rule

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the Centre's decision to bring Chandigarh administration employees under the Centre's Civil Rules will be strongly opposed to reclaim the state's rightful claim over Chandigarh.

Mann tweeted after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on the implementation of Central Civil Service Rules for all employees under Chandigarh Administration. The Punjab CM who sees this as an infringement on the rights of his state said that the Centre's move to bring Chandigarh administration under its ambit is a violation of the Reorganisation Act 1966.

So far, the UT employees were covered under Punjab Civil services rules. Shah said that the decision will be notified on Monday, following which not only will all employees be paid as per the Central service rules but also enhance the retirement age from 58 to 60 years.

In Chandigarh Administration, a Union Territory, employees had been under the Punjab Civil services rules until the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement that after the Wednesday official notification all the administrative employees in Chandigarh will be aligned with the Centre civil service rules.

Announcing the decision, Shah also said that the move will benefit the employees whose retirement age will be raised from 58 to 60, the age of those working with the education department will be 65 and, the child care leave will be enhanced to two years instead of existing one year for women employees.

The Centre's decision has widely been criticised by other opposition parties in the state, who called it a dictatorial decision. Akali leader Daljit Cheema tweeted that "MOH's decision to impose Central govt rules on employees of Chandigarh is in violation of the spirit of Punjab Reorg Act and must be reconsidered. This means denial of the right of Capital to Punjab for ever. After changes in BBMB, this is another big blow to the rights of Punjab."