‘Forest workers’ welfare, state govt’s top priority’: Cabinet minister Kataruchakk

The Punjab government is fully committed to the welfare of its employees, ensuring complete transparency in public interests. Special priority is being given by the state government to streamline the work of the Forest and Wildlife Conservation department. This information was shared by the Minister of Forest and Wildlife Conservation, Lal Chand Kataruchakk, during a series of structured meetings with officials from the Forest Ranger and Deputy Forest Ranger Association, Jungle Workers Union (Punjab), Punjab Forest Workers Union, and Punjab Subordinate Services Federation at the Forest Complex, Sector-68.
Regarding the issues of Forest Rangers, the minister clarified that the new recruitments will be done as per government regulations to avoid unnecessary litigations. He also discussed the shortage of staff in ranger offices, stating that a plan is under consideration to appoint one employee in each ranger office under the restructuring process. The minister instructed forest officials to appoint legal officers to handle court matters and study the pattern of Forest Department’s cases related to food, civil supplies, and consumer affairs.Addressing the concerns raised by the Jungle Workers Union (Punjab), the minister mentioned that the retirement age for grade four employees has already been increased to 60 years. He directed officers to ensure that the salaries of employees are disbursed on time and not delayed beyond the 7th of each month. Emphasizing the Punjab government’s employee-centric approach, the minister stated that during the current government’s tenure of two and a half years, 185 new forest guards have been recruited, aiming to improve the functioning of forest-related activities.