Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday said that the Finance Department has approved the proposal for the Phase-Wise Recruitment of 345 Veterinary Inspectors in the Animal Husbandry Department.
Revealing this in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Cheema said that the Animal Husbandry Department currently has a total of 2,010 approved posts for Veterinary Inspectors, and out of the approved posts, 345 positions are currently vacant, with 1,665 being filled.
He said that the Finance Department has approved the filling of these 345 vacant posts in a phased manner, with 150 posts to be filled in the first phase during the current fiscal year 2025-26, and the remaining 195 posts will be filled in the second phase during the next fiscal year 2026-27.
The finance minister, who is also chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to resolve the employees’ issues, said the need to fill existing vacancies were highlighted during a meeting with the Punjab State Veterinary Inspectors Association. During the meeting, the Animal Husbandry Department noted that the number of animals receiving treatment at the state’s 22 Veterinary Polyclinics is increasing, leading to a shortage of staff.
Hailing the move to fill all 345 vacant posts as a major stride in maintaining seamless and efficient animal health services for Punjab’s livestock keepers, Finance Minister Cheema said the Animal Husbandry Department has been delivering its services through the state’s vast network, comprising 22 Veterinary Polyclinics, 1,367 animal hospitals, and 1,489 animal dispensaries.
He affirmed that this decision is a direct response to pressing departmental needs, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of critical care.