In a major step to strengthen public healthcare capacity, the Punjab Cabinet on Thursday approved the empanelment of 300 specialist doctors across 12 key medical disciplines. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann chaired the meeting in Chandigarh and finalised the decision.
Specialists to Address Gaps in Secondary-Care Services
Officials stated that specialists will be empanelled in fields including medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, dermatology, chest and TB, general surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ENT, and anaesthesiology. The government expects this move to bridge critical gaps in secondary care, especially in districts where specialist posts continue to remain vacant.
Civil Surgeons to Oversee Empanelment Process
Civil surgeons at the district level will supervise the empanelment process. Once onboarded, specialists can provide OPD, IPD, emergency, and surgical services. They will receive a per-patient fee based on the service category. This arrangement aims to ensure that residents of smaller towns and rural areas receive specialised services locally—care that otherwise requires referral to tertiary hospitals.
Cabinet Introduces Uniform Disciplinary and Appellate Structure
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the introduction of a uniform disciplinary and appellate framework under Rule 28A of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Rules, 1963. The amendment seeks to eliminate duplicate appeal channels, reduce contradictory decisions by various committees, and bring consistency across cooperative institutions.
New Framework to Strengthen Accountability
Authorities explained that the revised structure will clearly define lines of authority for disciplinary actions and ensure that appeals are heard only once within the organisation.
The government believes this change will streamline accountability, minimise procedural confusion, and strengthen due process by offering employees a single, transparent avenue of appeal.
Punjab Updates Minor Mineral Rules to Improve Mining Governance
As reported by Hindustan Times, the Cabinet also approved amendments to the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, aligning them with the Punjab State Minor Minerals (Amendment) Policy 2025. The updated provisions aim to simplify processes for allocating mining rights, including crusher sites and landowner mining areas.
Revised Rules to Enhance Efficiency and Transparency
Officials said the earlier rules needed revision to reflect new policy requirements and resolve challenges faced by leaseholders. The amendments are expected to clarify lease conditions, streamline the issuance of mining rights, and strengthen oversight of extraction activities. The government emphasised that these changes will help reduce irregularities and promote digitisation. They will also make mining services more citizen-friendly, efficient, and transparent.