Punjab Cabinet Decisions: Retirement age for Medical Staff increased; Major reforms in Rural Development and Panchayat dept
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, April 11, 2025 – In a key Punjab cabinet meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence, several significant decisions were taken to improve healthcare services, streamline administrative processes, and fill reserved legal posts.
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, briefing the media after the meeting, announced that the retirement age for medical faculty staff in government medical colleges has been increased from 62 to 65 years.
The move is expected to benefit around 40 professors nearing the previous retirement age and help address staff shortages in medical colleges.
In a similar step, the retirement age for medical officers/specialist doctors has been raised from 58 to 65 years. However, appointments beyond the age of 58 will now be made on a contractual basis.
The cabinet also approved a statewide reorganization and rationalisation of all blocks under the rural development and panchayat department. The decision aims to make public services more accessible and efficient at the grassroots level.
To address the backlog of reserved posts for advocates, the cabinet has eased the income tax eligibility criteria. Specifically, for SC/ST candidates, the income threshold has been reduced by 50 percent across all applicable provisions, paving the way for the appointment of 15 vacant reserved positions.