What Is Article 240? Centre Proposes Bringing Chandigarh Under The Ambit

Chandigarh: In a major breakthrough, the government has asked to include the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution. As per the reports, the Constitution 131 Amendment Bill 2025 is all set to be introduced in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament for this purpose. 

Notably, the government has proposed to include Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution. This move will allow for the appointment of a Lieutenant Governor to administer the Union Territory, with the initiative to weaken Punjab’s claim over the capital city.

The proposed Bill seeks to include Chandigarh in Article 240 of the Constitution of India, similar as other Union Territories without legislatures such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. If this happens it will open way to an independent administrator in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Notably, the Punjab Governor is currently the Administrator of Chandigarh.

What is Article 240?

This article of the Constitution provides power to the President to regulate peace, progress and effective governance of certain Union territories. This is will bring Chandigarh under the purview of this Article and will empower the president to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly.

Notably, the Winter Session of Parliament will start on the 1st of next month and will be held till December 19.

What BJP State President Sunil Jakhar said?

BJP State President Sunil Jakhar in his X, said, "Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, and the Punjab BJP stands firmly with the interests of the state, whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab. Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first."