Punjab Veterinary doctors announce state-level gherao of Animal Husbandry Director’s office
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), January 18, 2026: Upset over what they termed the government’s indifferent and arrogant attitude towards their long-pending demands, veterinary doctors of Punjab have announced a state-level protest and gherao of the office of the Director, Animal Husbandry Department (Punjab), at the Livestock Complex here on Friday, January 30. A protest march will also be held later in the day.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the state executive of the Joint Action Committee of Vets for Pay Parity (JAC) along with district coordinators. Veterinary doctors from across the state will participate in the protest.
The vets have been agitating for the past five years for the fulfillment of their key demands, including:
- Restoration of pay parity with medicos, which existed for over 42 years.
- Restoration of the DACP scheme (4-9-14).
- Calculation of HRA by including NPA in basic salary.
- Grant of full salary during probation to newly appointed Veterinary Officers.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Gurcharan Singh, Convener of the JAC, recalled that on December 23 and 24, 2025, veterinary doctors had observed a complete shutdown of departmental work and staged protests at district polyclinics.
During those protests, notifications issued by the previous government reducing the entry-level pay scale from ₹56,100 to ₹47,600 were burnt in protest.
He said the government was warned to take concrete steps by January 10, 2026, but continued silence has forced the committee to intensify its agitation.
Dr Abdul Majid, Co-Convener, said that Veterinary Officers, Senior Veterinary Officers, Deputy Directors, and Joint Directors from various districts will take part in the gherao. He also urged the Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Dr Paramdeep Singh Walia, to join the protest in the larger interest of the cadre.
Meanwhile, Dr Gurinder Singh Walia, Chief Media Advisor, appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to intervene immediately to resolve the issue.
He described it as “unethical and unfortunate” that the government reduced the entry-level pay scale and continues to deny restoration of DACP, HRA on NPA, and full salary during the probation period to veterinary officers.