Administration of Chandigarh

UT Administration

Chandigarh is one of the six union territories of India, ruled directly by the Central Government. It is the capital of both states Punjab and Haryana but not under the jurisdiction of either state. The Governor of the Punjab is the Administrator of Chandigarh. In reality, the Advisor to the Administrator, a very senior officer belonging to one of the All India Services (IAS), is the overall head of the administration in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The Advisor to the Administrator oversees actual administration of Chandigarh UT.

The practice of appointing an Administrator of the UT designated "Chief Commissioner" continued up to June 1, 1984. On June 1, 1984, the Governor of Punjab took over the direct administration of the Union Territory as Administrator. "Chief Commissioner" was re-designated as "Adviser to the Administrator". As per the initial order, the Governor was to hold charge for two months, but after July, 1984, the Governor of Punjab was again appointed as Administrator of the Union Territory and this arrangement continues till date.

The Adviser to the Administrator is an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and is appointed by Ministry of Home Affairs. He advises the Administrator on policy matters and oversees the actual day-to-day administration of the Union Territory. All financial powers of the Administrator stand delegated to him. Under the various laws, the Adviser acts as appellate authority for all matters.

The Deputy Commissioner, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service, is the in-charge of the General Administration in the Chandigarh UT.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service (IPS), is responsible for maintaining Law & Order and related issues in the Chandigarh UT.

The Deputy Conservator of Forests, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service, is responsible for the management of the Forests, Environment and Wild-Life in the Chandigarh UT.

Administrator
Gen. (Retd.) S. F. Rodrigues PVSM, VSM
Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory Chandigarh,
Punjab Raj Bhawan,Chandigarh
Phone: 91-172-2740740

Adviser to the Administrator
Lalit Sharma
Phone: 2742001 (O), 2777505 (R)

District Administration

Chandigarh is also a “city district” administered by the Deputy Commissioner under the control of the UT Home Secretary. He has many functions to carry out. In the matter of law and order, he functions as a District Magistrate assisted by police (Senior Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police) and civil officers (Sub-divisional Magistrates or Executive Magistrates). He is also the Additional Chief Electoral Officer and District Election Officer and also Returning Officer for Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency. The Deputy Commissioner heads various other departments including Excise and Taxation, Agriculture, Cooperation, Rural Development and Panchayats, Food and Supply, Labour, Prisons, Civil Defense and Sports. He also functions as the Estate Officer under the administrative control of the Finance Secretary.

Municipal Corporation Chandigarh

The civic administration of Chandigarh is under the control of Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC). MCC was established in 1994 for handling many key areas of civic amenities for the citizens of Chandigarh. The various functions of MCC include water supply, sewage, storm drainage, roads & parking, development of parks & open spaces, street lights, fire fighting and above all the sanitation services. One of the most important features of Municipal Corporation’s working can be said to be its accessibility to citizens directly as well as through the Councilor – both elected as well as nominated.

The corporation is headed by a Mayor who is assisted by a Deputy Mayor and other elected members of the MCC. The mayor is responsible for the overall functioning of the MCC and has tenure of five-years. The real executive power of the UT is vested on the Municipal Commissioner, an IAS officer.

Municipal Commissioner
Sh. P.S. Aujla, I.A.S.
Ph. 2708765

Mayor
Sh. Surinder Singh