Published: 29 November 2025Outlook IndiaGeneral
131st Constitutional Amendment Bill: Centre Backs Down on Chandigarh Under Article 240
The Union Home Ministry clarified that it will not introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Winter Session following strong political opposition. The Bill proposed bringing Chandigarh under Article 240, empowering the President to frame laws and allowing an independent Administrator or Lieutenant Governor.
Parliamentary bulletins from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha initially indicated the Bill would be introduced when the session opened on December 1. Sharp protests erupted from AAP, Congress, and SAD, who called it a 'conspiracy to take away Punjab's capital'. Including Chandigarh under Article 240 would have placed it with UTs without legislatures, bypassing Parliament for law-making through presidential regulations.
0Mains angle
Q: Analyse the constitutional and federal implications of the proposed 131st Amendment Bill to bring Chandigarh under Article 240, and the political reasons for the Centre's decision to shelve its Winter Session introduction.
Answer (50 words):
The Union Home Ministry clarified it would not introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Winter Session after strong opposition from AAP, Congress and SAD. The Bill proposed placing Chandigarh under Article 240, empowering the President to frame laws through an independent Administrator, treating it like UTs without legislatures.
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Linked questionMedium
The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 aimed to bring Chandigarh under which Article?
Explanation · Correct answer BThe Bill proposed bringing Chandigarh under Article 240, which empowers the President to frame laws for certain Union Territories. The Government backed down following strong political opposition.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Union Home Ministry clarify about the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025?
The Union Home Ministry clarified that it would not introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Winter Session. The clarification followed strong political opposition.
What change was proposed for Chandigarh under Article 240?
The Bill proposed bringing Chandigarh under Article 240, which would empower the President to frame laws. It also allowed an independent Administrator or Lieutenant Governor.
What had the parliamentary bulletins indicated before the Ministry's clarification?
Parliamentary bulletins from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha initially indicated that the Bill would be introduced when the session opened on December 1.
Why did AAP, Congress, and SAD protest the Chandigarh proposal?
AAP, Congress, and SAD called the proposal a conspiracy to take away Punjab's capital. Including Chandigarh under Article 240 would have placed it with UTs without legislatures and bypassed Parliament for law-making through presidential regulations.
