Chandigarh: A delegation of Punjab Congress leaders on Sunday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demanded that Punjabi be designated as the official language for the administration in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
The delegation, comprising Punjab CLP leader Sunil Jakhar and former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, also demanded that a ratio of 60:40 for the UT administration staff be maintained, said a release in Chandigarh.
UT Chandigarh serves as the capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab. Members of the delegation told the PM that although Chandigarh was the capital of Punjab, "Punjabi language is not given its due. Even in the matter of recruitment, candidates passing out from Punjab were not considered because Hindi language was mandatory".
The delegation demanded use of Punjabi language in all UT schools and government offices and also called for signboards to be inscribed in Punjabi along with in English and Hindi. The delegation told the PM that at the time of the reorganisation of Punjab, in 1966, all assets and Chandigarh itself, were shared in 60:40 ratio with Haryana.
However, with the passage of time, the UT administration started reducing the strength of employees from Punjab. The PM assured the delegation of his party members that he would ensure that the 60:40 ratio in staff recruitment was maintained, the release added.
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