CABINET GIVES GREEN SIGNAL TO KICK START MAJOR RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN STATE
In a bid to provide employment opportunities to the youth of the state on one hand, bring in efficiency in the administration and provide better public services to the citizens of the state, the Punjab Cabinet today gave nod for launching a major recruitment drive to fill 1,13,766 vacant posts in various departments. A decision to this effect was taken in the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at his office, this morning. Disclosing this here today, Advisor to Chief Minister on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharan Bains said that the Cabinet directed the state government to complete the process of recruitment on these posts in a fast track mode, to be completed within a year. The major departments in which these posts would be filled were: 30,000 in school education, 39821 in power sector, 5301 in Health department, 3500 in agriculture, 4566 in cooperation department, 2198 in higher education, 2072 in irrigation, 2852 in PWD (B&R), 2628 in Revenue, 3952 in Transport and 1584 in Water Supply and sanitation departments. Taking cognizance of recent incidents of the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Cabinet also gave green signal to introduce a new amend section 295 AA in the Indian Penal Code 1860, which would provide punishment of life imprisonment for offenders committing heinous acts of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This step would act as a deterrent to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in future. This amendment was all the more necessitated as the existing provisions of the said Act in Section 295, 295A and 296 though dealt with these matters but do not provide deterrent punishment for such unfortunate incidents related to sacrilege. The Cabinet also decided to enhance old age pension, pensions for widow destitute women, orphan children and disabled persons from Rs.250 to Rs.500 per month. This pro-poor initiative would provide far more social security to nearly 16.50 lac beneficiaries including elderly people, widows, dependent children and disabled persons and this decision would involve an additional financial liability of Rs.495 crore annually. Pensions henceforth would be disbursed through Panchayats. The new rates of pensions would be effective from January 1, 2016.
