Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday regularised the services of 516 contractual and daily-wage employees of the Forest Department, marking another major step under the Punjab Government’s ‘Mission Employment’ initiative.
The regularisation ceremony was organised at thttps://indianmasterminds.com/states/punjab/he Development Bhawan in Mohali, where Chief Minister Mann handed over appointment letters to the employees and officially made them part of the Punjab Government workforce.
The regularised employees include drivers, beldars and other Class IV staff members who had been serving the Forest Department for several years. All these employees had completed around 20 years of service under contractual and daily-wage arrangements.
Punjab Government Continues ‘Mission Employment’ Drive for Contract Workers
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann congratulated the employees and their families, saying that more than 500 workers had finally received permanent employment status after years of uncertainty.
He said the decision would provide long-awaited job security to employees who had spent decades working under temporary arrangements without the benefits and stability available to regular government staff.
Mann said contractual employees had faced constant concerns about their future, including retirement benefits, pension facilities and financial security for their families. Regularisation would now bring stability and remove these uncertainties, he added.
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CM Mann Hands Over Appointment Letters to Forest Department Employees
During the special function held at Mohali’s Development Bhawan, Chief Minister Mann handed over appointment letters to the newly regularised employees.
He said these workers had contributed significantly to the functioning of the Forest Department and deserved permanent recognition for their long years of service.
The employees who received regularisation benefits included drivers, beldars and other Class IV category workers who had been waiting for permanent status for many years.
Relaxation in Age Limit and Educational Qualifications Granted
Chief Minister Mann said that when the regularisation proposal was presented before the Punjab Cabinet, the government decided to provide relaxation in educational qualifications and upper age limits for eligible employees.
He explained that many workers had already served the department for 10, 15 and even 20 years. Due to their age and eligibility criteria, several employees could have become ineligible under normal recruitment rules.
The special relaxation allowed experienced workers to receive permanent employment benefits based on their long years of dedicated service.
Punjab Government Plans to End Contract Employment System
CM Bhagwant Mann reiterated that his government was committed to gradually ending the contractual employment system in Punjab.
He criticised the practice of keeping employees on temporary appointments for years despite their continuous service to government departments.
Mann said that while temporary housing and makeshift structures had reduced over time, it was unfortunate that previous governments continued to keep employees on temporary contracts for long periods.
He also announced that similar regularisation drives would continue in other government departments.
CM Mann Attacks Outsourcing System, Highlights Worker Issues
Taking a strong stand against outsourcing and contract-based employment, Bhagwant Mann alleged that the system had resulted in exploitation of workers.
He claimed that contractors received full payments from the government but often failed to provide complete salaries to employees. Many workers, he alleged, were forced to sign documents showing full wage payments while receiving lower amounts.
The Chief Minister further stated that contractual workers were often denied leave benefits and could be removed from service without prior notice.
“The exploitation of workers through the contract system will not be tolerated,” Mann said, adding that the government would continue working towards protecting employee rights.
Regularisation Drive to Continue Across Punjab Departments
The regularisation of 516 Forest Department employees is part of the Punjab Government’s wider initiative to provide permanent employment status to eligible contractual and daily-wage workers.
The government said such decisions would improve financial security, social protection and employment stability for workers who have contributed years of service.
With the Mohali event, the Punjab Government has once again highlighted its commitment to providing permanent jobs and reducing dependence on contractual employment arrangements.
