Punjab: The plan to appoint 343 psychologists for drug rehabilitation centers has been postponed.

Punjab: The Punjab government has cancelled its plan to hire 343 psychologists on a contract basis for de-addiction centers and has decided to outsource the work to private agencies. This decision was conveyed in an official communication from the Director, Health and Family Welfare, on December 19.
Copies of the official letter have been received by the offices of the Punjab Health Department; the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare; and the Registrar of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences. Stating that the decision was taken due to “administrative reasons,” the Director said that the application fees collected from the candidates would be refunded by the department. The decision to cancel the recruitment process comes after the department had already conducted a written examination for the positions.
According to sources, the department now intends to avail the services of psychologists through private agencies. A doctor said, “They will never be officially enrolled in the department; they will work for a very low salary. Moreover, they will not be entitled to claim any additional service benefits.” The doctor further added, “Besides, they will have no job security, and there will be limitations on increments and leave entitlements.” An official confirmed this, saying, “The recruitment process had to be cancelled because approval was only granted for outsourcing.”