Punjab to recruit 619 women multipurpose health workers
Chandigarh, July 2
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has approved comprehensive administrative proposals aimed at significantly enhancing public service delivery through the recruitment of 619 women multipurpose health workers under the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
Cheema, in a statement, said these positions represent a strategic combination of direct recruitment and promotion quotas within the department.
According to the breakdown, 220 posts have been vacant for less than one year, while 346 posts are designated as promotional positions intended to elevate eligible individuals from the cadre of trained dai to multipurpose health worker.
He said that 53 direct recruitment posts, which had been vacant for more than a year and were consequently abolished under the Finance Department's standing guidelines dated June 6, 2019, will be formally revived following the necessary approval from the Council of Ministers.
Cheema said the health workers will be placed in the pay scale of Rs 21,700 - 69,100 at Level-3 as per the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Technical (Group-C) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2025.
To ensure the maximum efficiency of this recruitment drive, the state government has consciously decided to remove these 619 appointments from the jurisdiction of the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board due to the prolonged timelines typically associated with their hiring processes.
Instead, the entire recruitment process will be executed directly through the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences in Faridkot, a move that has already received the formal consent and agreement of the Subordinate Services Selection Board via an official communication of December 3, 2025.
The Finance Minister said that filling these health sector posts will entail an additional annual financial implication of approximately Rs 16.12 crore per annum during the mandatory probation period.
Switching to the administrative reforms in the industrial sector, Cheema said a robust proposal from the Department of Industries has been cleared to revive vital direct recruitment cadres to maintain operational efficiency.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from a small town in Punjab, I can say we badly need more health workers. Our local clinic has just two nurses for the whole block. But I'm a bit skeptical about the 53 posts that were abolished and now being revived—wasn't there a reason they were abolished in the first place? Hope proper planning is in place. Also, ₹16 crore annual cost seems manageable for such a crucial sector. Let's see if it actually translates to better services on ground.
Great step for women's health! These multipurpose workers play a crucial role in maternal and child health, immunization, and awareness programs. But I hope the promotional quota for 'dais' (traditional birth attendants) doesn't lead to compromising on qualifications. We need a balance between experience and formal training. Also, why is the pay scale only Level-3? Health workers deserve better compensation for their hard work. 🙏
This is a welcome move by the Punjab government. However, I have two concerns: First, why remove the process from the Selection Board? While it may be slow, it ensures transparency. Giving this to Baba Farid University seems like a shortcut that could lead to favoritism. Second, 346 promotional posts from dai to health worker is a lot—are there enough qualified dais? Let's hope the recruitment is fair and merit-based.
As someone working in the health sector, I can tell you that these positions are badly needed. But 619 workers for the whole state is still not enough—Punjab has 22 districts, that's barely 28 per district. The government should have planned for more. Also, the ₹16 crore annual cost sounds low; I hope it's not an underestimate that leads to budget cuts later. Good initiative, but needs to be scaled up significantly.
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