VETS LOSE PAY PARITY WITH MEDICAL OFFICERS

PATIALA: The veterinary officer cadre has lost its parity with medical and dental officers as the animal husbandry department has revised their entrylevel monthly salaries to Rs 47,600, while medical and dental officers are getting Rs 56,100.

The government took this decision on January 4 this year, even as pay parity with medical and dental officers has been maintained since 1978, when the Punjab and Haryana high court had given these orders.

Veterinary officers said they were contemplating moving court, as the salary revision was a violation of the high court order in CWP 6286.

A veterinary officer, pleading anonymity, said, “They can reduce or increase our salaries but the government has to do the same with medicos and dentists.”Dr Rajinder Singh (retired), patron of Punjab State Veterinary officer’s Association, said no department of the state government had reduced entrylevel salaries. “We strongly condemn the action of department. Even the Supreme Court has endorsed parity with medical and dentist officers in writ petition (c) 2780/2011 and in special leave petition number 3505/2015. We request t he department to take immediate action to rectify the decision. Otherwise, the cadre will be compelled to file a contempt case in the high court,” he added.

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