NEW DELHI: The winter session is headed for another showdown as Centre has proposed to include Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, allowing for the appointment of a Lieutenant Governor to administer the Union territory, a move which instantly triggered protests from parties in Punjab. AAP, Congress and SAD have resolved to protest as they are planning to meet home minister Amit Shah asking him not to move ahead with the bill.They said the current scheme where Governor of Punjab also serves as administrator of UT of Chandigarh should not be disturbed. The Constitution 131st Amendment Bill, 2025 seeks to include the UT of Chandigarh in Article 240 of Constitution, and align its administration with that of UTs without legislatures; i.e., Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, which are all governed by LGs. Administration of Puducherry is governed along same lines when its assembly is dissolved or suspended.The session commencing Dec 1 has several other key legislations listed for business including a bill seeking to open up the civil nuclear sector for private players and the long-awaited Higher Education Commission of India Bill — a key reform proposed under NEP 2020. The bill seeks to create a singular higher education regulator, replacing UGC, AICTE and NCTE.Besides the crucial Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, which seeks to govern the use and regulation of atomic energy is among 10 bills listed.National Highways (Amendment) Bill, also listed for introduction, seeks to ensure faster and transparent land acquisition for highways. Another proposed legislation is Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims at tweaking Companies Act, 2013 and LLP Act, 2008, to facilitate ease of doing business. Also on govt’s agenda is Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025, which proposes to consolidate provisions of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, Depositories Act, 1996, & Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, into a rationalised single Securities Markets Code.
