Punjab Government on Saturday gave approval to fill additional 12,747 posts of different cadres of six departments in the State.
The decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that these posts of different cadres of group A, B, C & D in six departments namely Home Affairs & Justice, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Irrigation, Cooperation, Planning and Technical Education & Industrial training would be filled soon.
likewise, the Cabinet gave clearance for the creation of eight additional posts of Under Secretaries and one post of Superintendent in Punjab Civil Secretariat. Besides, it approved to fill 133 posts of Medical laboratory Technician (Grade-2), 7 posts of TB Health Visitors, 29 posts of Ophthalmic Officer, 1301 posts of Multipurpose Health Worker (F), 1263 posts of Multipurpose Health Worker (M), 51 posts of Block Extension Educator, 109 posts of Radiographer, 128 posts of Operation Theatre Assistant, 33 posts of Electrographer, 2 posts of Assistant Dieticians and 5 posts of Dental Hygienist by taking out these posts from the purview of Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board.
The Government also gave a go ahead to fill 248 posts of Medical Officers (MBBS) out of 316 vacant posts of Medical Officers (Specialists).
To avoid stagnation in the cadre of constables in Police Department, the Cabinet approved to designate a Constable as Head Constable (PR) on completion of 16 years of his regular service. It was also decided to enhance the upper age limit for recruitment of Constable and Sub-inspector in Police from 25 to 28 years.
In another decision, the Cabinet decided to recast combined seniority of Assistant Sub Inspectors (ASIs), Sub Inspectors (SIs) and Inspectors of district Police and PAP. In order to avoid the reversions and protection of pay of employees of Armed Battalions, this decision would result in creation of 64 Ex-Cadre posts for the General Duty (Armed Battalions) Officials/Officers up till their promotions in the next rank in order to retain them in their actual place in the seniority list and for further promotions accordingly.
Similarly, creation of 41 dying cadre posts for the Sportspersons, in addition to the sanctioned posts, which shall be eliminated automatically upon their promotion on the next rank and this process will go on up to the level of SP, was approved. Their seniority will be determined as per dates of their present promotions.
The Cabinet also decided to give last chance to the employees and pensioners, who have not yet got themselves registered under Cashless Health Insurance Scheme to register themselves by June 30, 2016.
Approval was also given to hire 50 video vans for the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) to generate awareness amongst masses about rich historical and cultural heritage of Punjab and welfare schemes initiated by the State Government.
It was also proposed to engage 125 feedback officers to analyse and communicate various Government schemes, programmes and policies across the State by establishing Call Centres with IVRS facilities on outsource basis by the DPROs through outsourcing agencies.
During the meeting, the Cabinet also decided to authorise Ex-MP/Ex-MlA/MP/MlA/Chairman and Members of Zila Parishad and Panchayat Sammiti or Sarpanch of village to attest/recommend a person who has participated in one of the Morchas during emergency for grant of financial assistance. The Sangharshi Yodhas would get financial assistance of `1000 per month and other facilities, who participated in Morchas during emergency (26.06.1975 to 21.03.1977) and Punjabi Suba (1955-1965).
The Cabinet expressed its commitment to create required housing stock for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) by amending the relevant policy. Under the policy, 10 per cent of the flats constructed under group housing project and 5 per cent of the gross area under other mega/papra housing projects are earmarked for EWS.
The Government also gave ex-post facto approval to the amendment in Rules of old-age pension and other financial assistance schemes carried out by the Social Security Department, in which now Aadhar Card in place of Ration card would be another document of identity or proof of residence for the entitlement of pension and other financial assistance schemes.
In view of the complaints regarding exorbitant fee charged by the private schools, the Cabinet directed the School Education Department to put some effective mechanism in place, which must regulate fee and other levies charged by these schools.
The Cabinet also decided that henceforth no objection certificate required for release of residential electricity connections will be needed.
It was also decided to increase the quota of Government houses for accredited Press correspondents from 10 houses to 15, which will include 3 houses of category IX and 5 of category VIII by amending the Rule 7-A of the Punjab Government House (General Pool) Allotment Rules 1983.