Haryana's Proposed Land Swap for Chandigarh's Vidhan Sabha Sparks Controversy with Punjab

The Chandigarh  Administration has received a "detailed proposal" from the Haryana government regarding a land swap for the construction of its new Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) building in Chandigarh. The proposal is currently under consideration, according to officials.

Haryana has requested 10 acres of land in Chandigarh for its new Assembly building and has offered a 12-acre site in Panchkula as compensation. The Haryana government has already allocated Rs 50 crore in its 2023-24 budget for the construction of the new Vidhan Sabha building in Chandigarh. The news of the proposed land swap has sparked strong reactions from various political parties in Punjab, who assert that Chandigarh solely belongs to Punjab and that they will never allow such a transfer.

Chandigarh adminstration recieved detailed proposal

Chandigarh's Deputy Commissioner, Vinay Pratap Singh, confirmed that the administration has received a detailed proposal from the Haryana government regarding the land swap. He explained that a report will be sought from Haryana regarding the land being offered in Panchkula, and the matter will then be presented to the Chandigarh Administration and later sent to the Union Home Ministry for a final decision since it involves a land exchange case.

Singh added that they are currently working on the proposal and having multiple meetings with the Haryana government to build a strong case to be sent to the Government of India with the approval of the UT Administration.

It is worth noting that in July 2022, during a northern zone council meeting in Jaipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the allocation of land for an additional building for Haryana's assembly in Chandigarh. Chandigarh serves as the common capital of both Punjab and Haryana, with the Punjab Governor also serving as the Administrator of the Union Territory.

Reacting to the recent development, senior Congress leader from Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, expressed his disapproval on Twitter, calling the Chandigarh administration's decision to allocate 10 acres of land to Haryana for an assembly building deplorable. He criticized the BJP-led Centre for infringing on Punjab's claim over Chandigarh.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal criticized both the Centre and the Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party, for colluding to allocate land in the Union Territory for a separate Vidhan Sabha for Haryana, suggesting a political motive ahead of the Haryana assembly elections in 2024. He called on all parties in Punjab to rise above politics and protect the state's rights.

Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira stated that the allocation of land to Haryana for a new Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh directly attacks Punjab's legitimate claim over its capital.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, another senior Congress leader, expressed the belief that Chandigarh belongs to Haryana. He suggested that the Haryana government should extend the existing Vidhan Sabha rather than relinquishing its position in the current building. Currently, Punjab and Haryana share the Vidhan Sabha complex, which is located next to the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh. Haryana argues that there is limited space, causing difficulties for the functioning of the Vidhan Sabha and its committees.