The Union government’s influence over the administration of Chandigarh, a Union Territory without a legislative assembly, has been steadily increasing in recent years, despite official assurances that there are no immediate plans to bring in legislation expanding its role. This shift is evident not only in administrative appointments but also in the adoption of Central Civil Service Rules for Chandigarh’s employees, replacing the previously applicable Punjab service rules. These developments reflect a gradual but significant transformation in the governance and bureaucratic structure of the city.
In 2022, during a visit to Chandigarh to inaugurate various projects, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a notable announcement that the Central Civil Service Rules would henceforth apply to all employees under the Chandigarh administration. Before this decision, Chandigarh’s employees were governed by Punjab Civil Services Rules. The change marked a return to the earlier framework, as Chandigarh had followed Central Civil Service Rules up until 1991 before switching to Punjab’s rules. This policy shift brought tangible benefits to the UT employees, including an increase in the retirement age from 58 to 60 years, an extension of child care leave for women from one year to two years, and improvements in pay scales. These changes aligned Chandigarh’s administrative practices more closely with those of other Union Territories and the Central government.
Alongside the adoption of Central Service Rules, there has been a notable increase in the appointment of officers from the AGMUT cadre—comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories—to key bureaucratic positions within Chandigarh’s administration. Traditionally, many important posts were held by officers from Punjab or Haryana cadres. However, this trend has shifted in recent years, with AGMUT officers filling many senior roles. For instance, the position of Managing Director of CITCO (Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation), previously held by a Punjab cadre officer, is now occupied by Hari Kallikkat from the AGMUT cadre. Similarly, the Secretary of Engineering, a post that was traditionally combined with the Finance Secretary role and held by a Punjab cadre IAS officer, is now assigned to Prerna Puri, an AGMUT cadre officer. The Secretary of Social Welfare, earlier managed by Haryana or Punjab cadre officers, is now held by Anuradha Chagti, also from the Central government cadre.
The restructuring is not limited to senior positions alone. Among the three Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) in Chandigarh, two are now officers from the UT cadre, while one remains from the Haryana cadre. The Health Department, which was traditionally headed by Haryana cadre IAS officers, has also seen the appointment of AGMUT cadre officers since 2022, with Home Secretary Mandip Brar temporarily overseeing the department. Furthermore, the role of Assistant Estate Officers (AEOs) has evolved from being managed by a single officer from the Haryana Civil Service to multiple AEOs from the UT cadre, each handling separate responsibilities.
In a significant bureaucratic development, the Centre recently designated the post of Adviser to the Union Territory’s Administrator as the Chief Secretary of Chandigarh. This adviser is the senior-most IAS officer in the administration and reports to the Administrator, who is the Governor of Punjab. Though the officer’s reporting line remains the same, the new designation elevates the post’s status to be on par with the chief secretaries of other states in terms of protocol. This change further indicates the Centre’s intent to strengthen its administrative control and presence in the Union Territory.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s frequent visits to Chandigarh for inaugurations and to launch pilot projects have also underscored the city’s growing importance to the Central government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Notably, Chandigarh was chosen to kick off the Bureau of Indian Standards’ new initiative when it replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), highlighting the city’s strategic and symbolic significance for the ruling party.
Local voices have expressed mixed reactions to these developments. Vinod Vashisht, Convener of the City Forum of Residents Welfare Organisations, pointed out that Chandigarh’s unique status as a Union Territory without a legislature means governance is highly centralized. He emphasized that it is crucial to involve more representatives with real decision-making power in Chandigarh’s administration, rather than concentrating authority in the hands of a single individual. Vashisht also highlighted two key priorities for the city: the introduction of a five-year term for mayoral elections and enhancing the jurisdictional powers of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. These measures, he believes, would strengthen local governance and increase citizen participation.
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