Centre plans separate administrator for Chandigarh

The Centre is contemplating to withdraw the additional charge given to Punjab Governor as the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh and instead appoint a Chief Commissioner under its direct control.

According to the proposed plan, a central additional secretary-level officer would be appointed as Chief Commissioner under the direct control of the Union Home Ministry, a system prevalent till mid-1980s before the eruption of the Punjab militancy.

Some powers enjoyed by the Governor would be given to one of the Union Ministers of State for Home, while the Chief Commissioner would enjoy the autonomy as was the case till mid-1980s, home ministry sources said.

The existing system of Punjab Governor holding the additional charge of Chandigarh Administrator will continue till November 16 when incumbent, General (retd) S F Rodrigues demits office.

However, the UT will continue to house the capitals of Punjab and Haryana.

Presently, the home ministry appoints a senior IAS officer as the adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator.

Following the eruption of Punjab militancy, the Centre had changed the system of governance in Chandigarh and given its responsibility (as Administrator) to the Punjab Governor to provide better coordination between the police and the administration of Punjab and Chandigarh.

About two months ago, several eminent residents of the UT had sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding scrapping of the existent system of governance. Some citizens had expressed views in support of the Chief Commissioner system.