Chandigarh, April 11 —The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has halved the income eligibility criteria for Dalit advocates, paving the way for their contractual engagement in the Advocate General’s (AG) office.
The move aims to fill long-vacant posts reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) under a reservation policy introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in 2023.
Of the 58 posts reserved for SC/ST candidates in the AG office, 15 remain vacant due to strict income requirements, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said. “This step will not only ensure adequate representation but also help Dalit lawyers reach positions like those on the High Court bench,” he noted.
The Cabinet approved an ordinance to amend the Punjab Law Officers Engagement Act, 2017, enabling this change. The income threshold has now been reduced by 50 per cent, easing access for eligible candidates.
In another key decision, the Council of Ministers increased the retirement age for medical faculty from 62 to 65 years. For specialist doctors, the age has been raised from 58 to 65, with provisions for need-based re-employment on contract. The measure is aimed at addressing faculty shortages in medical colleges.
Administrative restructuring also got a nod, with the reorganisation and rationalisation of blocks under the rural development department. Officials said this would improve administrative efficiency and public service delivery.
The Cabinet also approved a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for allottees of Improvement Trust properties. Defaulters will receive a 50 per cent waiver on outstanding non-construction and penal interest charges.
