The highest advisory body in Chandigarh, the Administrator's Advisory Council, has remained inactive for a period exceeding eleven months, raising questions about its role in the Union Territory's governance. The council, which is chaired by the Punjab Governor who also serves as the UT Administrator, last met in February 2025 for an introductory session.
A Year Passes With Minimal Activity
Despite having a defined tenure of two years, nearly one full year has elapsed since the council was reconstituted, with only a single meeting to its name. The administration had reformed the council in December 2024 after the term of the previous council ended. Furthermore, it took seven months after this reconstitution for the administration to formally notify the formation of the council's 10 subject-specific sub-committees, which occurred in July of the previous year.
Function and Current Impasse
The Administrator's Advisory Council sits at the peak of Chandigarh's advisory governance structure. However, it is crucial to note that its recommendations are not binding on the administration. The core of its work involves the sub-committees, which study various subjects and make recommendations. The concerned UT departments are then required to submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs) based on these suggestions.
During the council's meetings, these sub-committee recommendations and the corresponding ATRs form a key part of the agenda and are discussed by the members. The prolonged absence of meetings means this entire process of review and discussion has stalled.
Implications for Governance
This extended hiatus prevents the council from fulfilling its advisory mandate. The lack of forums delays the discussion of critical civic issues and holds up the feedback loop between the administration and the council members, who represent various public interests. With the clock ticking on its two-year term, the council's potential to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions is being significantly underutilized due to this inactivity.
