The North News
Chandigarh, April 11
The Punjab Cabinet, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved an ordinance to ensure greater representation of Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates in contractual legal appointments across the state. In a meeting held at the Chief Minister’s official residence on Friday, the Council of Ministers gave the green light to amend the Punjab Law Officers Engagement Act, 2017. The change aims to ease income-based eligibility criteria for SC applicants, thereby broadening access to positions as law officers in the Advocate General’s (AG) Office, Punjab.
A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office said the ordinance intends to rectify underrepresentation and facilitate inclusivity in state legal services. The move aligns with the Mann-led government’s stated commitment to uplift marginalised communities through structural reforms. Officials emphasised that the ordinance is a step toward equitable legal representation and an extension of affirmative action in professional legal roles.
The ordinance will come into effect once formally notified.
OTR POLICY FOR ALLOTTEES OF IMPROVEMENT TRUST OKAYED
In another significant decision, the Cabinet has also accorded its approval to One Time Relaxation (OTR) policy regarding Non Construction fee and outstanding allotment amount for allottees of Improvement Trusts of the state. This decision will give a major relief to the allottees as the penal interest will be waived off.
GIVES CONSENT FOR REORGANISATION OF BLOCKS
To maintain geographical and administrative contiguity, efficiency, cost optimisation and legislative synergy, the Cabinet also gave green signal for reorganisation and rationalisation of the existing blocks in the state. The realignment of blocks is necessitated in order to ensure better administration of these blocks in the larger public interest. Pertinently, there are 154 blocks in the state currently and due to some ambiguities, several problems were being faced to run administration smoothly in these blocks.
RETIREMENT AGE OF DOCTORS AND PROFESSORS IN MEDICAL COLLEGES ENHANCED
In another significant decision, the Cabinet also gave consent to enhance retirement age of Doctors and Professors serving in Medical Colleges under Medical education and research department from existing 62 years to 65 years. This will help in imparting quality education in the Medical Colleges continuously thereby immensely benefitting the students in these colleges.
GREEN SIGNAL TO NEED BASED HIRING OF SPECIALISED DOCTORS AFTER SUPERANNUATION
The Cabinet also gave consent to hire the Specialists doctors retiring from the service to cope up with the shortage of doctors in government hospitals. These doctors will be hired annually on need based basis in the larger public interest.
