By IANS,
Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Friday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to tinker with the existing administrative structure in the union territory of Chandigarh.
In a letter to the prime minister, Badal cited reports regarding the move to take the post of Chandigarh’s administrator away from the governor of Punjab, and sought continuation of the existing administrative arrangement till Chandigarh is formally transferred to Punjab.
The chief minister also asked the prime minister to direct the union home ministry and the Chandigarh administration not to alter recruitment rules for various posts, especially those of medical officers (doctors).
Detailing the background of the existing recruitment process established in Chandigarh, Badal said that as per the decisions taken under The Punjab Re-organization Act, 1966, the posts of various services in the Union Territory of Chandigarh are required to be filled up by taking officers/officials on deputation from the states of Punjab and Haryana in the ratio 60:40 as per the policy guidelines issued by the home ministry.
“The existing rules and policy guidelines have stood the test of time and balance has been struck between the states of Punjab and Haryana. There is no rationale or requirement for amending the existing rules or modifying existing policy guidelines,” Badal asserted.
He said that any move to change the existing administrative structure of Chandigarh was a matter of serious concern to Punjab and its people.
“The aspirations and sentiments of all Punjabis are deeply attached to the issue of the city, right from the date the city was conceived.”
Badal added: “The state of Punjab is absolutely clear that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab to which it needs to be transferred immediately. The people of Punjab expect you to use your good offices to resolve this long outstanding issue regarding the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. No such efforts to change the existing administrative structure of the Union Territory Chandigarh will, therefore, be tolerated by the people of the state.”