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Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘AAP failed Bhagat Singh, his ideals': Vets protest for pay parity in Khatkar Kalan
Veterinary doctors from Punjab's Animal Husbandry Department staged a protest demanding restoration of pay parity with medical officers and implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme at the ancestral village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, Khatkar Kalan, on Monday. Under the banner of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Vets for Pay Parity, protest leaders said veterinarians and medical officers had received equal pay for 42 years — from 1978 to 2020. However, in January 2021 the then-Congress government slashed the starting salary of vets from ₹56,100 to ₹47,600 — contradicting court rulings. The ruling was made by Punjab and Haryana High Court in a civil writ petition filed by Dr Sukhdev Singh and others against the state of Punjab. JAC convener Dr Gurcharan Singh said this pay cut was a betrayal. The AAP government failed to reverse an unjust decision taken over four years ago by former Finance minister Manpreet Badal, he said. 'Will they follow Badal's ideology or Bhagat Singh's?' On DACP, Dr Singh said that under the scheme the assured career progression takes place after four, nine and 14 years of service. JAC media advisor Dr Gurinder Singh Walia noted that while pay commissions normally maintain or raise pay scales for comparable categories, 'this is the first time in history that a category's salary has been reduced by a mere finance department letter without any rationale'. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to address the issue on priority to undo the injustice. The co-conveners, Dr Puneet Malhotra and Dr Abdul Majid said: 'Punjab is the only state where this disparity has existed since 2021.' According to them veterinarians and medical officers receive the same pay and benefits in Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Haryana, and across the Central government, the Indian Army, and the BSF. The convenors alleged that the government has issued no notification to restore parity despite multiple meetings and assurances. Committee coordinator Dr Tejinder Singh stressed that veterinarians do more than just desk work to strengthen the rural economy. They travel to remote villages to treat and vaccinate animals, control diseases, and improve milk production, he said. He warned that continued inaction would escalate the protest and that the government would be responsible for any negative impact on animal health and farmers' incomes. A joint memorandum was also sent to the Punjab government. The protest ended with JAC leaders paying floral tributes to Bhagat Singh's statue. Anti-government were raised as banners and placards condemned the policies of the previous and current regimes. Retired veterinary doctors also joined the march in solidarity.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab government asks rural medical officers to merge with health department amid doctor shortage
Chandigarh: In a step aimed at addressing the shortage of medical officers and enhancing healthcare delivery, the Punjab govt has invited rural medical officers (RMOs) currently serving in the department of rural development and panchayats to merge into the state's health department. However, the move may not garner the desired response, as RMOs have indicated that their consent is contingent on the govt meeting key demands, including protection of seniority and pay-related benefits. Punjab currently operates around 500 rural dispensaries, each serving approximately 10,000 residents. About 530 RMOs are posted at these facilities across the state. The merger proposal comes at a time when the state health department is grappling with a severe shortage of doctors. Of the 3,847 sanctioned posts for general medical officers, only 1,885 are filled, leaving 1,962 posts, or 51%, vacant. A similar situation exists in the specialist cadre, where 1,108 of the 2,098 sanctioned posts are occupied, resulting in a 47% vacancy rate. Overall, nearly 50% of the department's 5,945 sanctioned posts remain unfilled. To address this shortfall, the department initiated the recruitment of 1,000 new medical officers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Besides that, officials hope that integrating RMOs into the health department will further help bridge the manpower gap, especially in rural areas. The health department has written to the department of rural development and panchayats, requesting RMOs to submit their consent via an option form by June 6, in accordance with specified terms and conditions. This follows a series of meetings in April between officials of both departments and representatives of the Federation of Associations of Rural Medical Officers, Punjab. During these discussions, RMO representatives expressed conditional willingness to join the health department, demanding protection of full seniority and entitlements such as Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) and gratuity. The health department clarified that seniority for those opting to merge would be counted from the date of their joining the health department, rather than from their date of regularisation in the department of rural development and panchayats. Additionally, all emoluments will accrue from the date of joining in the department of health. RMOs will be transferred only after providing written consent accepting the stated terms and conditions. RMOs choosing to remain with the department of rural development and panchayats will continue in their current roles. However, their posts will be designated as a "dying cadre", meaning that once a position becomes vacant, no new appointments will be made. Instead, the rural dispensary concerned, along with its contractual paramedical and Class IV staff, will be transferred to the health department. The merger of rural dispensaries has long been a contentious issue. In 2021, 132 rural dispensaries and their staff were transferred to the health department. Many of these centres continue to face irregular and inadequate supplies of medicines, raising concerns about operational efficiency and public health outcomes. Dr Jagjit Bajwa, representing the Federation of Associations of Rural Medical Officers, reiterated RMOs' position: "We are open to the merger, provided our seniority and pay are protected and we are extended other benefits." MSID:: 121595890 413 |
Hans India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Bihar Cabinet approves 34 proposals for state's development
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called a Cabinet meeting on Friday and approved 34 proposals. One of the major decisions was dismissing Vijay Kumar, former Executive Officer of Barbidha, and Raman Rai, former Circle Officer of Sikta Zone (West Champaran), currently Assistant Settlement Officer in Kishanganj from their services due to administrative and disciplinary reasons. The Cabinet has also approved 663 non-technical posts for 71 offices of the Integrated Urban Engineering Organisation under the Urban Development Department. These posts aim to ensure smooth functioning and will cost the government Rs 35.27 crore annually. The Cabinet has approved Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Amendment Rules, 2025. This may impact the land and revenue administration. It has also given the approval for 40 new posts in the Advocate General's Office, including 34 permanent and 6 contractual posts. The Dynamic Assured Career Progression for dentists has been approved retroactively from April 1, 2017, ensuring financial and career growth benefits. The Cabinet meeting was chaired by CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, along with Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat S Siddhartha. The state government is aiming to assess viability, land, environment, and air traffic prospects. To speed up infrastructure and development projects, the Cabinet has approved 104 posts of Additional District Land Acquisition Officers and 81 posts of Revenue Officer-cum-Kanungo (Land Acquisition) in the Revenue and Land Reforms Department. The state government is exploring the development of regional airports in Madhubani, Veerpur, Munger, Valmikinagar, Bhagalpur and Saharsa. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), New Delhi will conduct the study for this project and the Bihar government has allocated a Rs 2.43 crore budget. In line with CM Nitish Kumar's public commitments to improve higher education institutes, new degree colleges will be opened in 8 districts in Madhubani, Goraul, Shamho, Imamganj, Adhaura, Katoria, Asarganj, and Chakai. A total of 526 posts were approved for these degree colleges including 422 teaching posts including one Principal per college and 104 non-teaching staff. This step aims to increase access to higher education in backward and underserved regions.
