Chandigarh, April 11: The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has decided to promulgate an Ordinance. This will provide adequate representation to members of the SC community for contractual engagement as law officers in the state. The Council of Ministers made a decision to this effect. The meeting was held here under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. It took place at his official residence today. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Cabinet gave nod to promulgate an ordinance to amend Punjab Law Officers Engagement Act 2017. “The government took this step to relax the income criteria for contractually engaging law officers from the SC community in the state.” The purpose of relaxation in income criteria is to provide adequate representation to members of SC community for contractual engagement as law officers in AG Office, Punjab.

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 government has realigned the blocks to ensure better administration in the larger public interest. Currently, the state has 154 blocks, and due to certain ambiguities, officials were facing several challenges in running smooth administration across these blocks.”

RETIREMENT AGE OF DOCTORS AND PROFESSORS IN MEDICAL COLLEGES ENHANCED

In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved increasing the retirement age of Doctors and Professors. They work in Medical Colleges under the Medical education and research department. The retirement age will go from the 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 gave consent to hire specialists retiring from the service. This decision aims to cope with the shortage of doctors in government hospitals. “The government will hire these doctors annually on a need-based basis in the larger public interest.”