The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966

Summary of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966:
Key Provisions
1. Formation of New Entities
• Haryana State: Comprising specified districts and territories of the existing Punjab (Section 3).
• Union Territory of Chandigarh: Comprising specified territories from the existing Punjab (Section 4).
2. Territorial Adjustments
• Transfer to Himachal Pradesh: Specified territories from Punjab to Himachal Pradesh (Section 5).
• Residual Punjab: Punjab to comprise the remaining territories after the above adjustments (Section 6).
3. Constitutional Amendments
• Amendment of the First Schedule to the Constitution to reflect the new state and union territory (Section 7).
4. Administrative and Financial Provisions
• Saving Powers of Government: Authorities can alter district names, areas, or boundaries post-reorganisation (Section 8).
• Apportionment of Assets and Liabilities (Detailed in Part related to Apportionment, e.g., Sections 47-51):
• Land, Goods, Treasury Balances, Arrears, Loans, and Advances are apportioned based on location, population ratio, or specific directives.

Legislative History:

The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966

● Act Title - The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966

● Act Number / Year - 31 of 1966

● Act ID (India Code) - 196631

● Presidential Assent Date - September 18, 1966

● Enforcement Date - September 18, 1966

● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Home Affairs

Precedent & Historical Rationale

● Linguistic State Reorganisation & Punjabi Suba Movement - Enacted following widespread political agitation for a Punjabi-speaking state, fulfilling recommendations of the Shah Commission (1966) to reorganise the erstwhile composite State of Punjab on linguistic and cultural boundaries.

● Bifurcation and Territorial Allocation - Formulated to carve out the new Hindi-speaking State of Haryana, transfer hilly territories to the Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh, and establish Chandigarh as a Union Territory to serve as the joint administrative capital.

Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment

● Formulation - Introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs following the Government’s acceptance in principle of the reorganisation of Punjab in March 1966 and the subsequent boundary determinations by the Shah Commission.

● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Third Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during September 1966.

● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on September 18, 1966.

● Enforcement - Enforced on September 18, 1966

Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Home Affairs.