MOHALI: Frustrated by the government's arrogance and indifferent attitude toward their long-standing demands, the Veterinary Doctors of Punjab have announced a state-level protest and march on Friday, Jan 30, at the office of the Director, Animal Husbandry Department (Punjab) in Livestock Complex, here. On this day, veterinary doctors from across the state will gather to "gherao" (besiege) the head office and will later conduct a protest march.
This decision was taken during a meeting of the state executive of the Joint Action Committee of Vets for Pay Parity (JAC) held with district coordinators.
The doctors have been struggling for the last five years to secure the following demands:
1 Restoration of Pay Parity with Medicos, which remained intact for over 42 years.
2. Restoration of the DACP Scheme (Dynamic Assured Career Progression) 4-9-14.
3. Calculation of HRA by including NPA in basic salary
4. Full Salary during the probation period to new Veterinary Officers.
The committee noted that despite their ongoing struggle, the current government has offered nothing but false promises.
During the meeting, Dr Gurcharan Singh, Convener of the Joint Action Committee, addressed the members, reminding them that on December 23 and 24, 2025, doctors had observed a complete shutdown of departmental work and held protests at district polyclinics. During those protests, copies of notifications issued by the previous government reducing scale from 56, 100/, to 47, 600/- were burned as a mark of resentment.
A warning was previously issued to the government to take concrete steps by January 10, 2026. Dr Singh stated that since the government has till date maintained its silence, the committee has been forced to intensify the struggle by organizing the gherao of DAH office on January 30.
Dr. Abdul Majid, Co-Convener, informed that apart from Veterinary Officers, Senior Veterinary Officers and Deputy Directors from various districts, Joint Directors will also participate in the protest. He specifically requested the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Dr. Paramdeep Singh Walia, to join the protest in larger interest of the cadre.
Dr. Gurinder Singh Walia, Chief Media Advisor, appealed to the Chief Minister, Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann, to intervene immediately to arrest the unrest and ensure justice to the Vets of the state. He termed it as "unethical and unfortunate" that the government had reduced the entry-level scale for veterinary officers from ₹56, 100 to ₹47, 600 and continues to withhold the restoration of DACP, HRA on NPA, and full salary during probation to Veterinary Officers.