Punjab Govt to create 38K-plus posts in welfare boards

The Punjab Government has decided to establish welfare boards in every district and Assembly constituency, a move that will create more than 38,000 positions for chairpersons, office-bearers and members across the state.

The decision follows the constitution of 21 state-level welfare boards for various castes and communities. Under the new plan, similar boards will be set up at the district and constituency levels. The positions will be honorary, with no salary, allowances, office space or dedicated staff. Appointees will serve at the discretion of the government.

Each of Punjab’s 117 Assembly constituencies will have 21 welfare boards. Every board will comprise a chairperson, a senior vice-chairperson, a vice-chairperson and 10 members, taking the total strength of each board to 13.

The same structure will be replicated at the district level. Once all boards are constituted, the total number of office-bearers and members is expected to reach 38,220. Of these, about 2,940 will be chairpersons. Including senior vice-chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, the number of key office-bearers will rise to 8,820.

A notification has been issued by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities after obtaining the required approval from the Governor.

The boards will provide ground-level inputs and feedback on the implementation of welfare schemes. Nominations will be made by the Punjab Government, while appointment letters will be issued by deputy commissioners. The government will also retain the authority to remove any office-bearer at any time without prior notice.

The welfare boards are being established for a wide range of communities, including Rai Sikhs, Rajputs, Bairagis, Brahmins, Vimukt Jatis, Prajapat Samaj, Sainis, Ramgarhias, Swarnkars, Christians, Muslims, Sufi communities, Kannaujias, Aggarwals, Kambojs, Khatri-Aroras, Bazigar-Tapriwas groups and Gujjars, among others.

The government has clarified that no expenditure from the state treasury will be incurred on salaries or allowances for these positions. The boards will also function without separate offices or staff.