Punjab CM seek PM's intervention in Chandigarh administrative appointments

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the status quo in the Punjab and Haryana share in Chandigarh Union Territory's (UT) administrative posts is maintained.

Seeking his personal intervention, the Punjab Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to advise the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to take early steps to maintain the ratio of 60:40 between Punjab and Haryana.

Singh insisted on the need to maintain the ratio properly as it apparently leads to an imbalance which has been continuing since the past few years, not only in the case of placing the officers in Chandigarh Administration but also in other categories of employees such as teachers, doctors and other civil officers posted in Chandigarh Administration.

In the letter, Singh mentioned that it was heartening to note that the Government of India had agreed to keep in abeyance its notification of September 25, 2018, merging the posts of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSPs) of Chandigarh Police with Delhi, Andaman, Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS), in response to his letter of October 1 this year.

Further, Singh pointed out that of the 14 IAS Officers posted in Chandigarh Administration, only three belonged to Punjab and two belonged to Haryana, while the remaining officers were from UT cadre.

Singh, in addition, asked Prime Minister Modi to advise the Chandigarh Administration not to curtail the role and responsibilities of the officers of Punjab and Haryana, as assigned to them in pre-determined ratio and posts.