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AAP's Pannu Warns Chandigarh Draft Could Cut Punjab Share
Baltej Pannu of the Aam Aadmi Party objected to proposed health-service rules for Chandigarh.
He said Punjab and Haryana previously shared medical-service positions in a 60:40 arrangement.
Punjab received 60% and Haryana received 40% under that arrangement.
Pannu said the draft would place 40% of Medical Officer jobs in a separate Union Territory cadre.
He said the remaining jobs would be divided between Punjab and Haryana.
In his calculation, Punjab’s share could fall to about 36%.
Pannu argued that this could affect Punjab’s established rights in Chandigarh.
He asked the central government to review the rules before they are finalised.
AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu opposed the draft Chandigarh Health Service Rules 2026.
Pannu said the earlier Punjab-Haryana arrangement allocated 60% to Punjab and 40% to Haryana.
He claimed the draft would place 40% of Medical Officer posts under direct Union Territory recruitment.
According to Pannu, Punjab’s share could consequently fall to approximately 36%.
Pannu urged the Centre to review the draft and protect Punjab’s established position in Chandigarh.
- Who
- Baltej Pannu, AAP Punjab media in-charge, and the Chandigarh Administration, which issued the draft rules.
- What
- Pannu opposed the draft Chandigarh Health Service Rules 2026, alleging that they could reduce Punjab’s share of Chandigarh’s medical services.
- Where
- Chandigarh, India.
- When
- Pannu made the statement on Wednesday, September 16, 2026; the draft was issued in August.
- Why
- Pannu said direct recruitment under a Union Territory cadre could dilute Punjab’s established share and rights arising from the reorganisation of Punjab.
Pannu’s objections
Draft rules’ stated framework
Effect on Punjab’s share
Pannu’s objections
Pannu said the proposed framework would reduce Punjab’s share from the earlier 60% arrangement to approximately 36%.
Draft rules’ stated framework
The draft provides for 40% of Medical Officer posts through direct recruitment under the Union Territory cadre, with the remaining 60% linked to deputation, according to the report.
Status of the proposed changes
Pannu’s objections
Pannu argued that the changes go beyond recruitment procedures and weaken Punjab’s established rights in Chandigarh.
Draft rules’ stated framework
The draft rules formally address recruitment, promotion and service conditions for Group-A General Duty Medical Officers; the article does not report a response from the Chandigarh Administration defending the proposal.
Next step
Pannu’s objections
Pannu called on the Centre to review the draft and preserve arrangements arising from Punjab’s reorganisation.
Draft rules’ stated framework
The Chandigarh Administration has issued the draft and invited comments from stakeholders before finalisation.
Key facts
- Draft rules
- Chandigarh Health Service Rules 2026
- Issuing authority
- Chandigarh Administration
- Covered positions
- Group-A General Duty Medical Officers
- Earlier arrangement
- Punjab 60% and Haryana 40%, according to Pannu
- Proposed recruitment formula
- A 60:40 deputation-direct recruitment formula
- Potential Punjab share
- Approximately 36%, according to Pannu
- Pannu’s demand
- The Centre should review the draft before finalisation and protect Punjab’s interests
Quotes
Baltej Pannu
AAP Punjab media in-charge
“This is not merely a change in recruitment rules. This directly concerns Punjab’s rights in Chandigarh. Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab, and Chandigarh was built by destroying Punjab’s villages. The arrangements made at the time of the reorganisation of Punjab cannot be changed in a manner that continuously reduces Punjab’s share.”
livemint.com
news18.com
“Earlier, there was a 60:40 arrangement, with 60% for Punjab and 40% for Haryana. Now, under the proposed changes, 40% of the medical officers will be directly recruited under the UT cadre, while the remaining 60% will be divided between the two states. As a result, Punjab’s share will come down to just around 36%.”
news18.com
Sources
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