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To enhance the efficiencies of the Rural Development and Panchayats Department, the Punjab Cabinet on Thursday decided to raise the minimum qualification for Gram Sewaks from Matric to Graduation.

It has okayed amendment to the Rural Development and Panchayats Department (Class-III) Service Rules, 1988, according to an official spokesperson.

A decision to this effect was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh held here this afternoon through video conferencing.

Following the Cabinet’s nod, the “Punjab Department of Rural Development and Panchayats (Class-III) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2021” will notify amendment to the rules, thus paving the way for fresh recruitment of 792 Gram Sewaks, to be conducted by the SSS Board.

Notably, the duties of Panchayat Secretary and Gram Sewaks in the Rural Development and Panchayats Department are of similar nature but the minimum educational qualification in direct recruitment of Panchayat Secretary is Graduation whereas in case of Gram Sewaks, the educational qualification has so far been Matriculation.

VET HOSPITAL SERVICE PROVIDERS GET CONTINUATION

Meanwhile, in a bid to provide efficient animal health services in the 582 veterinary hospitals across the state, the Cabinet okayed continuation of the services of Service Providers (497 Veterinary Pharmacists and 498 Class-IV/Safai Sewaks), already working on contract basis, as a stop-gap arrangement for a period of two years, i.e. from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022.

This decision has been taken to ensure smooth functioning of the veterinary hospital, besides enabling dairy farmers to avail the best veterinary services for their livestock.

The state government has already transferred 582 Civil Veterinary Hospitals back to the Animal Husbandry Department, including the 582 sanctioned posts of Rural Veterinary Officers, from Rural Development & Panchayat Department, to provide efficient animal health services to livestock owners.

Also Read: Punjab to launch ‘Mera Kaam Mera Maan’ scheme to help unemployed youth enhance skills, employability

APPROVES AMENDMENT FOR BETTER COORDINATION BETWEEN DBEES AND DPMUS

To bring parity and ensure coordination in the functioning of District Bureau of Employment Enterprises (DBEEs) and District Program Management Units (DPMUs), the Cabinet gave approval to amend notification No. 9/33/2019-1ET/1530612/1 dated July 24, 2019 to replace the words “Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) and ADC (D)’ with Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-CEO DBEE”.

As per a Cabinet decision of June 6, 2019, Punjab Skill Development Mission was brought under the Department of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training, which has also set up DBEEs in all districts where Additional Deputy Commissioners are CEOs (Chief Executive Officer) of these DBEEs. DBEEs and DPMU of Punjab Skill Development Mission are working in districts under the direct control of the ADCs who act as nodal officers for the same. However, in many districts ADC (Development) is the nodal officer for skill programmes and ADC (General) is the CEO of DBEE. This dual structure leads to lack of coordination amongst the skill training and employment generation wings of the department. Therefore, for better coordination between DBEEs and DPMU at district level, the Cabinet took this decision to amend the said notification.

APPROVES ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

The Punjab Cabinet also approved Annual Administrative Reports of the Employment Generation & Training Department for the years 2018-19, 2019-20, and of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department for four years viz. 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.