Health Service Rules 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab’s media in-charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday strongly opposed the draft Chandigarh Health Service Rules 2026, saying that the proposed changes will reduce Punjab’s fixed share in Chandigarh’s medical services and will be a violation of the agreement between Punjab and Haryana.
Opposition to change in 60:40 arrangement
In a statement, AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Earlier the arrangement was 60:40, in which 60% was for Punjab and 40% for Haryana. Now, under the proposed changes, 40% of medical officers will be recruited directly 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 only around 36%.”
Issue of rights of Punjab in Chandigarh
AAP Punjab’s media in-charge said, “This is not just a change in the recruitment rules. This is directly an issue related to Punjab’s rights in Chandigarh. Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab, and Chandigarh was created by uprooting the villages of Punjab. The arrangements made at the time of reorganization of Punjab cannot be changed in such a way that Punjab’s share keeps getting reduced.”
Accused of weakening the rights of Punjab one by one
Baltej Pannu said that the proposed changes are part of a larger process, through which the rights of Punjab are being weakened one by one. He said, “First the Sikh syllabus was removed from Panjab University. Now another issue has been raised through the proposed changes in the Chandigarh Medical Cadre. One by one everything is being taken away from Punjab.”
Question on BJP’s political stand
Questioning the BJP’s political stand on Punjab, he said, “BJP repeatedly says that it wants to form the government in Punjab and contest elections here. But on the other hand, the rights of Punjab are being snatched away one by one. If the BJP really wants to serve Punjab, then why is the fixed share of Punjab in Chandigarh being reduced?”
Demand to preserve the 60:40 arrangement
Baltej Pannu said that the 60:40 arrangement between Punjab and Haryana should be preserved and the proposal to bring a separate UT cadre should not reduce Punjab’s share. He said, “The history of the present arrangement is clear. Punjab’s share cannot be reduced in this manner by bringing in a new cadre structure. The Center should look at the matter seriously and ensure that Punjab’s rights and share are protected.”
Demand for review of draft rules
Baltej Pannu demanded the Central Government to immediately review the draft of Chandigarh Health Service Rules 2026. He said, “We demand that the Central Government should review these proposed rules and ensure that the arrangements made by the reorganization of Punjab and the rights of Punjab are not diminished. Punjab cannot be expected to sit by watching its share in Chandigarh being reduced one by one.