MOHALI: Frustrated by the Punjab Government's persistent "dilatory tactics" and unfulfilled promises regarding their legitimate demands, veterinary doctors in Punjab are set for complete shut down of all veterinary services on December 23 and 24, 2025. This decision was taken unanimously during a meeting held by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Vets for Pay Parity.
It is pertinent to mention that for the past five years, the veterinary doctors of Punjab have been on a path of struggle to achieve the following demands:
* Restoration of Pay Parity with Medical officers, a practice that existed for over 42 years.
* Restoration of the DACP (Dynamic Assured Career Progression) 4-9-14 scheme.
* Re-implementation of HRA on NPA (House Rent Allowance on Non-Practice Allowance).
* Full Salary during the probation period.
Despite their long-standing struggle, the current government has allegedly continued to offer only hollow assurances.
Addressing the state executive and district representatives during the meeting, Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Convenor of the Joint Action Committee of Vets for Pay Parity, lamented that instead of playing a positive and constructive role in resolving the issues, the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Punjab, is attempting to intimidate the protesting officers. He strongly condemned the continuous issuance of threatening letters to Vets.
Dr Gurcharan further asserted that if the Director or the Government takes any disciplinary action against senior officials supporting the struggle, the Joint Action Committee will oppose it vehemently and will not dither from complete shutdown of the services. He urged all veterinary doctors across Punjab to remain united and steadfast in their protest so that their lost prestige could be restored.
Dr. Puneet Malhotra and Dr. Abdul Majid, Co-convenors of the Joint Action Committee, announced the next phase of the protest. On December 23 and 24, all veterinary doctors in the state will suspend services and stage dharna at their respective district polyclinics. As a mark of protest, they will perform a mock funeral (Pitt-Siapa) of the 'failed state government' which had belied hopes of all sections of society. The copies of the Finance Department’s notification that "wrongfully and deceptively" disturbed their pay parity would also be consigned to flames, they added.
During these two days, there would be a complete shutdown of all services related to the Animal Husbandry Department including OPD and emergency across the state.Warning of Indefinite Strike, they added that if the government still fails to implement the legitimate demands of the veterinary doctors, all services related to the Animal Husbandry Department will be suspended indefinitely and the government shall be solely responsible for any resultant losses.
Dr Gurinder Singh Walia Media Advisor JAC urged the Chief Minister Punjab to look into unrest amongst the cadre of Veterinary Doctors and ensure justice . He lamented that it was not only unfortunate but unethical also as the Government had first given entry start of Rs 56, 100/- to Veterinary Officers, but later reduced to Rs 47, 600/-.