Punjab Cabinet approves 50 per cent reduction in income criteria for Dalit advocates

The Punjab Cabinet has reduced the income criteria for advocates from the Dalit community by 50 per cent, allowing them to be considered for positions in the Advocate General’s office. This move aims to fill 25 per cent of the seats in the AG office reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party government in 2023, the reservation policy faced challenges as some advocates couldn’t meet the income criteria.

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Finance Minister Harpal Cheema stated that 58 posts in the AG office are reserved for SC/ST individuals, with 15 remaining vacant due to stringent income requirements. This decision, made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will enable members of the Dalit community to be considered for high court bench positions.

In another key decision, the retirement age for medical teaching faculty has been increased from 62 to 65 years to address the shortage of teachers in medical colleges. Specialist doctors’ retirement age has also been increased from 58 to 65 years, with re-employment on a contractual basis.

The Punjab Council of Ministers has also approved changes to the rural development department’s administrative structure, reorganising and rationalising blocks for administrative purposes. An OTS scheme for improvement trust properties has been introduced, offering defaulters a 50 per cent rebate on non-construction and penal interest.