Bill Summary

The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025

 

  • The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 20, 2025.  The Bill amends the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.  The Act establishes a Legislative Assembly and constitutes a Council of Ministers for the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry.  The Bill seeks to provide for removal of the Chief Minister or any other Minister in the Puducherry government if he is arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal offences.  The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 was also introduced in Lok Sabha along with this Bill.  The Constitution Amendment Bill applies same provisions to the central and state governments, and the UT of Delhi.  Another Bill applies these provisions to the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

  • Grounds for removal:  The Bill specifies that a Minister will be removed from office if: (i) he is accused of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or more, and (ii) he has been arrested and detained in custody for 30 consecutive days.

  • Procedure for removal:  A Minister will be removed by the President on the advice of the Chief Minister.  This advice is to be provided by the 31st consecutive day the Minister is in custody.  If the Chief Minister does not provide this advice by this time, the Minister will cease to hold office from the day thereafter.

  • In the case of the Chief Minister, he must resign by the 31st consecutive day of custody.  If he does not resign by this time, he will cease to hold office from the day thereafter.

  • No bar on re-appointments:  A Minister who has been removed under these provisions, may be re-appointed after being released from custody.

 

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