Punjab: Seven months on, 320 newly recruited docs await appointment letters

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, Updated At : 08:42 AM Dec 24, 2025 IST

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Newly recruited doctors in the Punjab, numbering 320, have been awaiting their appointment letters for nearly seven months despite the recruitment process having been largely completed. The Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) recruitment examination was held on June 3 and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) completed the document verification of 1,738 shortlisted candidates by July 4. These included candidates from the general, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Section and other categories. The verified list was subsequently forwarded to the office of the Director, Health and Family Welfare Department, Chandigarh, which is the final authority to issue appointment letters to 1,000 medical officers.While 680 doctors were given the joining letter during the flood crisis in September, citing urgent medical needs in flood-affected areas, nearly 320 doctors are still awaiting their formal appointment letters. The Health Department officials attributed the delay to the repeated imposition of the election code of conduct due to the Tarn Taran by-election in October-November and the rural local bodies elections in December.Aspirants said repeated attempts to contact the department, including emails to the Health Minister, Chief Minister’s Office and senior officials, had yielded no response. “The delay is deeply frustrating. We are ready to serve in government hospitals, but there is no clarity on our joining,” said one candidate.

Earlier, the state government had announced that the appointment letters would be distributed on September 1 at a ceremony in Chandigarh, but the programme was cancelled at the last moment for unknown reasons. Subsequently, about 650 newly recruited doctors were deployed on 15-day emergency flood duty without formal appointment letters.

According to senior officials, the process is now nearly complete. “We are hopeful the letters will be issued this week,” said the officials.

Punjab: Seven months on, 320 newly recruited docs await appointment letters

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

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Punjab: Seven months on, 320 newly recruited docs await appointment letters

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

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