Veterinary Doctors in Punjab to Stage Major Protest on January 30
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of veterinary doctors in Punjab has called for a state-level protest and march. This significant action will take place on January 30 at the office of the director of the animal husbandry department. The location is the Livestock Complex in Chandigarh.
Decision Follows Executive Meeting
State executive members and district coordinators held a crucial meeting on Sunday. They unanimously decided to organize this protest. Dr Gurcharan Singh, the JAC convenor, expressed deep frustration among veterinary doctors. He accused the government of showing arrogance and indifference towards their demands.
Dr Singh stated that the committee plans to intensify its agitation. The protest at the state headquarters marks a new phase in their struggle.
Long-Standing Demands of Veterinary Doctors
According to Dr Singh, veterinary doctors have been fighting for five years. Their primary demand is the restoration of pay parity with medical doctors. This parity existed successfully for more than four decades.
The committee has outlined several other key demands:
- Restoration of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) Scheme with scales of 4-9-14.
- Calculation of House Rent Allowance (HRA) by including Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) in the basic salary.
- Payment of full salary during the probation period for newly appointed veterinary officers.
Government Response Deemed Inadequate
The JAC claims the present government has offered nothing but false promises. Dr Singh reminded everyone about previous actions. Veterinary doctors observed a complete shutdown of departmental work on December 23 and 24, 2025. They also held protests at district polyclinics.
During those protests, participants burned copies of notifications. These notifications were issued by the previous government. They reduced the pay scale from Rs 56,100 to Rs 47,600. This act symbolized their strong resentment.
Warning Issued and Deadline Ignored
The committee issued a clear warning to the government. They demanded concrete steps by January 10, 2026. Since no response came, the JAC decided to escalate their protest. They will now organize a gherao of the director's office on January 30.
Dr Abdul Majid, the JAC co-convenor, confirmed widespread participation. Senior veterinary officers, deputy directors, and joint directors from various districts will join the protest. Dr Majid urged Dr Paramdeep Singh Walia, the director, to join the protest. He emphasized that this action serves the larger interest of the entire veterinary cadre.
The veterinary doctors remain determined. They seek fair treatment and resolution of their long-pending issues.
