Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab Veterinary doctors boycott state-wise milk-yield competitions over long-pending pay parity demands
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), October 12, 2025: Veterinary doctors across Punjab have decided not to participate in the statewide milk-yield competitions being organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry from Monday.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the state executive of the Joint Action Committee of Vets for Pay Parity (JAC), which has been campaigning for nearly four and a half years for the restoration of pay parity with medical doctors, reimplementation of the 4-9-14 Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme, and other pending demands such as HRA on NPA.
Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Convener of the JAC, said that the parity between veterinary and medical officers—maintained for 42 years since 1977—was broken during the tenure of the previous Congress government by then Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal.
“Despite clear directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court, the letter issued by the Finance Minister undermined service rules and reversed long-standing parity. Unfortunately, the present Aam Aadmi Party government has failed to rectify this injustice even after nearly four years in power,” he said.
Accusing the government of “false promises and inaction,” Dr. Singh added that the JAC had suspended its agitation several times in good faith, but the government failed to honour its commitments. Veterinary doctors had earlier staged statewide protests, including demonstrations outside the offices of all Deputy Directors on July 29, 2025, followed by a massive peace march at Khatkar Kalan on August 11 to highlight their grievances.
Co-conveners Dr. Puneet Malhotra and Dr. Abdul Majid recalled that following their last protest, the JAC was invited for a meeting with Animal Husbandry Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian. However, before the meeting could take place, 15 districts of Punjab were ravaged by floods.
“Recognizing our duty towards livestock farmers, the veterinary doctors of Punjab suspended their agitation and worked relentlessly during the floods to save animals and prevent disease outbreaks,” they said.
They added that despite repeated reminders since the floods, the government has failed to hold the promised meeting or act on their demands. “It is the Minister’s moral responsibility to ensure that our legitimate demands are implemented without further delay,” they emphasized.
Expressing displeasure over the government’s apathy, the JAC announced that veterinary doctors have already suspended the Surabhi Chayan Shrinkhla Scheme and will now withdraw participation from the upcoming milk-yield competitions. The Surabhi Selection Series—a livestock selection programme under the Government of India—aims to identify high-quality germplasm, promote better breeding practices, and incentivize farmers to increase productivity.
Dr. Gurinder Singh Walia, State Media Incharge of the JAC, warned that if the government continues to ignore their demands, the veterinary doctors will be forced to intensify their agitation. “The government will be solely responsible for the consequences,” he cautioned.