Chandigarh: In a major festive announcement ahead of Diwali, the Punjab government has approved long-pending salary hikes and promotions for government doctors under the revised Assured Career Progression (ACP) Scheme. The decision fulfils a key demand of the Punjab Medical Civil Services (PMCS) Association, which had been advocating for the policy change for several years.
According to the official notification issued by the Health Department, government doctors in Punjab will now receive salary increments and promotions every five years. The new pay structure has been approved by the Finance Department and will come into effect from January 1, 2025, benefiting around 2,500 doctors across the state.
Under the revised scheme, the starting salary for doctors will be ₹56,100 at the time of appointment. After five years, their salary will increase to ₹67,400, followed by ₹83,600 after ten years of service, and ₹1,22,800 after fifteen years.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the previous salary increment process had been halted. With this notification, the state government has reinstated and revised the progression system, addressing a key issue that had caused significant concern among medical professionals.
Dr. Akhil Sarin, President of the Punjab Medical Civil Services Association, welcomed the move, calling it “a long-awaited Diwali gift for the state’s doctors.” He said the association had been pressing the government to restore and update the ACP scheme to ensure fair career growth for medical professionals serving in government hospitals.
“This is a positive and morale-boosting step. The government has accepted our first case, and promotion orders for eligible doctors will soon follow. This move will not only benefit doctors but also strengthen healthcare delivery in Punjab’s government hospitals,” Dr. Sarin added.
Officials said the implementation of the revised ACP scheme is expected to improve staff retention, motivate medical personnel, and enhance patient care in public healthcare institutions across the state.
With this announcement, the Punjab government has delivered a much-awaited policy reform — one that doctors are calling a true Diwali bonus for the state’s health sector.
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