The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, took several decisions on Saturday, including approval for new posts in government hospitals, amendments to Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) Group-A rules and policies related to paddy procurement and foodgrain transportation.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema briefed the media about the decisions after the cabinet meeting.
One of the major decisions was the approval of 251 new posts across government hospitals and health institutions and the government said the move is aimed at addressing staff shortages and strengthening healthcare services.
The 251 posts include 33 posts for the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Chamkaur Sahib, 19 posts for the Malerkotla Health Department, 80 posts for Medical and Dental Officers, and 119 posts for sub-divisional hospitals and new Mother and Child Health Centres, while the 19 posts approved for the Malerkotla Health Department include key administrative positions such as Chief Medical Officer, Assistant Civil Surgeon and District Family Welfare Officer.
The Cabinet also approved 80 posts for Medical and Dental Officers to increase the availability of doctors in government health institutions.
Another 119 posts were approved for sub-divisional hospitals and new Mother and Child Health Centres, and apart from healthcare, the Cabinet approved amendments to the rules governing Group-A posts under the Punjab Public Service Commission.
Approval was also given for the creation of Personal Assistant posts in the Punjab Secretariat and the Cabinet further approved the annual report of the Department of Information and Public Relations after discussion.
In the food and civil supplies sector, the Cabinet gave approval to the Custom Milling Policy for Paddy. The government also approved the Punjab Foodgrain Transportation Policy 2027 and the Punjab Foodgrains Labour and Cartage Policy.
The government said these decisions are aimed at streamlining departmental functioning and the procurement and handling of foodgrains and the meeting also covered decisions across healthcare, recruitment, administration and foodgrain management, with the creation of new health-sector posts being one of the major announcements.