Chandigarh: Taking a historic step towards securing the future of contract based employees, the Bhagwant Singh Mann government has today regularized the services of 516 daily wage workers of the Forest Department, which will secure their future. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann handed over appointment letters to the employees and also announced the restoration of long pending promotions of 237 officers and employees of the Forest Department.
Reiterating his government’s commitment towards the welfare of employees and transparent governance, the Chief Minister said that the contractual system has been abolished by our government, more than 68,000 government jobs have been given purely on merit basis and every eligible employee will continue to get respect, job security and equal opportunities as part of the government’s aim to create Rangla Punjab.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann gave this statement
Sharing some glimpses of the ceremony, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann wrote on his X handle: “Today was a very important and joyous day for the Forest Department employees. Securing the future of 516 daily wage employees who were waiting for years, we have handed them appointment letters for regular jobs. Along with this, the restoration of long pending promotions of 237 employees of the department has also been approved.”
He further wrote, “Our government has abolished the contractual system and so far more than 68,000 youth have been provided regular government jobs. We are fully committed to building Rangla Punjab.”
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I have never signed any file which has led to the loss of any employee or caused any financial loss to the state or its employees. The previous governments never supported the contract based employees as they never understood the important role being played by these employees. I have full confidence that the forest department employees will continue to make their important contribution in enhancing the green cover of Punjab. Along with this, our government will also establish One Forest Rest in the entire state. It is also making meaningful efforts to rejuvenate the houses.”
Congratulating the employees, the Chief Minister said, “Such celebrations never took place during the previous governments as the people in power at that time were always indifferent towards the employees. But after the AAP government came to power, the atmosphere has changed. Today people are witnessing and being a part of such joyous occasions. This is a reflection of Rangle Punjab and our government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that people continue to feel happy and honored through such initiatives.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “More than 65,000 contract workers of Punjab have given many precious years of their lives in the service of the state. Today the Punjab government is giving them what is their right. Now there will be no contractors between these employees and the government. From now on, these employees will have direct employment, which will be respectable as well as give them a clear path to get a job.”
Highlighting the government’s transparent recruitment process, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that our government has given about 68,268 government jobs to the youth of Punjab. The era of taking money and favoritism is over. Today, deserving youth are getting government jobs only on the basis of merit and qualification. That is why not a single appointment made by our government has been challenged in any court.”
The Chief Minister further said, “This policy guarantees service security to the employees as our government is fully committed to safeguard the interests and well-being of every employee. Under the historic policy notified on May 16, 2023, complete job security has been provided to all the employees covered under this policy. They will continue to hold their jobs without any interruption till the age of 58 years, after which they will retire as per the normal procedure.”
Elaborating on the provisions of the policy, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “As per the letter issued by the Finance Department in January 2024, a transparent and clear pay structure has been prescribed for all such employees. In this policy, the minimum educational qualification has been set at class VIII for Group D employees and Class X for Group C drivers. The 516 employees who do not meet the educational qualification criteria have also been given major relief by the government and it is being ensured that no eligible worker can avail this salary.” Do not be deprived of the benefits of the policy.”
Taking a dig at the previous governments, the Chief Minister said, “The people of Punjab have forgotten the rulers who did not pay them any attention. Today I am feeling relieved because our government has taken this historic decision. This is a historic day for the daily wage workers of the forest department, who have served the department for many years and now they are formally becoming a part of the government family as regular employees. I heartily congratulate all of them because a government job is not just a job. Provides security not only to an employee but also to the entire family.”
The Chief Minister further said, “Of the 516 daily wage workers being regularized today, many have put in more than 10 years of service, while many have worked as daily wage earners for nearly 25 years. Despite serving the department for more than a decade, many workers could not qualify under the 2023 policy due to the prescribed educational qualifications and age criteria. The Cabinet, therefore, approved special relaxations in these terms to ensure that “No eligible worker should be deprived of the benefits of regularization.”
CM appreciated the contribution of forest department employees
Appreciating the contribution of the Forest Department employees, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The daily wage workers of the Forest Department have made invaluable contribution towards keeping Punjab green and protecting its forests and wildlife. During the last four years, 1,458 daily wage workers have been regularized in the Forest Department. 342 more employees have been recruited through regular appointments in the last five years.”
While sharing their experiences, Surinder Kaur, Jaspal Singh, Surinder Singh, Jasbir Kaur, Gurpreet Singh, Halam Singh, Ravikant and others said that they have been serving in the department for many years but no previous government thought about their well-being. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has fulfilled every promise made to the people, whereas the previous governments continued to ignore them. Expressing happiness over this decision, he said that due to regularization of their services, there is a wave of happiness among them and their families and they will always be indebted to the Chief Minister for securing their future.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Forest Department Secretary K.K. Yadav and many other dignitaries were present. Bhagwant Mann government ended the years-long wait of daily wage workers, regularized 516 employees of Forest Department.
* Bhagwant Mann government has so far provided 68,228 government jobs on merit basis only, with every recruitment done in a transparent manner and without any recommendation. This figure does not include 516 Forest Department employees regularized today.
* In the forest department alone, 1,458 daily wage workers have been regularized during the last four years, while 342 employees have been recruited through regular appointments in the last five years.
* The government has also reinstated the pending promotions of 237 officers and employees of the Forest Department, fulfilling the long-standing demand of the department.
* Under the Regularization Policy 2023 of the Punjab Government, eligible employees are assured of service up to the age of 58 years with a transparent pay structure, annual increments and protection of existing pay wherever applicable.
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