Chandigarh, Nov 28 (NationPress) In an effort to enhance the quality of healthcare services, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has recently approved the empanelment of 300 specialist doctors across 12 essential specialities.

A representative from the Chief Minister’s Office stated that this initiative includes various specialities such as medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, dermatology, chest and TB, surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ENT, and anaesthesiology to be made available in government healthcare facilities.

This initiative is expected to greatly increase the availability of specialists and elevate the standard of secondary healthcare for the residents of Punjab.

The empanelment process will occur at the district level under the supervision of Civil Surgeons, with empanelled specialists eligible for an empanelment fee for services rendered, including OPD, IPD, emergency calls, as well as major and minor surgeries and procedures.

Moreover, the Cabinet also approved the insertion of Rule 28A - a Uniform Disciplinary and Appellate Framework under the Punjab Cooperative Societies Rules of 1963. This change will eliminate redundant appellate processes, prevent conflicting decisions within the same board or its committees, clarify the hierarchy in disciplinary actions, and guarantee that appeals are only presented once within the organization.

This also aims to safeguard employee rights by ensuring a transparent process within a consistent framework, thereby enhancing accountability across all apex institutions and central cooperative banks in Punjab.

Additionally, the Cabinet has sanctioned modifications to the Punjab Minor Minerals Rules of 2013 in accordance with the Punjab State Minor Minerals (Amendment) Policy of 2025. These adjustments are essential for the allocation of mining rights to holders of mining leases for crusher mining sites and landowner mining sites throughout the state.