Chandigarh Administration Allots Land, Fuelling Debate over Punjab's Authority

CHANDIGARH: In a decision that has triggered controversy and intensified the ongoing tussle between Punjab and Haryana, the Chandigarh administration has allocated 10 acres of land to Haryana for the construction of a separate Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) building. The move comes in exchange for 12 acres of land owned by Haryana near the Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park.

Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner, Vinay Pratap Singh, announced the land exchange decision following a recent meeting with Haryana government officials. The officials have been requested to provide the non-encumbrance certificate and demarcation report for the 12 acres within a two-week timeframe.

This development comes exactly a year after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the 30th meeting of the North Zonal Council in Jaipur, declared the allotment of land for the Haryana Legislative Assembly in Chandigarh. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has been advocating for the state's rights in the current shared assembly in Chandigarh, especially in light of the anticipated increase in the number of assembly seats after the 2026 delimitation exercise.

While the exact outcome of the delimitation exercise remains uncertain, Haryana, like several other states experiencing population growth, is expected to witness an increase in assembly constituencies from the current 90 to 126, and Lok Sabha constituencies from 10 to 16.

The decision to allocate land for an additional assembly complex in Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states since Haryana's separation from Punjab in 1966, has become a significant political point of contention. Punjab has been opposing Haryana's demand for additional land, citing Chandigarh's status as the common capital of both states.

Punjab views any concessions to Haryana in Chandigarh as a dilution of its authority over the union territory. Haryana, on the other hand, has clarified that the construction of a separate Vidhan Sabha building does not imply relinquishing its rightful share in the existing Vidhan Sabha building, which currently houses both the Haryana and Punjab Vidhan Sabhas.