Punjab: Only those who know the native language can apply for Group C, D government jobs

According to an official statement, the historic option aims to further strengthen the state’s commitment to the values ​​of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat. This decision was taken in the meeting of the Punjab cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mannu,

“The Cabinet gave its approval for amendment in Rule 17 of the Punjab Civil Services (General and General Conditions of Services) Rules, 1994 and Punjab State (Group D) Services Rules, 1963, to ensure that only those candidates in the Government of Punjab who have been appointed in the Punjab Government with deep knowledge of Punjabi language,” it said.

It said that in rule 17 of the Punjab Civil Services (General and General Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994, for the words “provided that where a person”, in the first provision, the words “provided that no person shall be appointed” shall be substituted. has gone. in any post in Group-‘C’ service, unless he has passed the qualifying examination of Punjabi language equivalent to matriculation standard with at least 50% marks in addition to the competitive examination to be conducted by the concerned recruiting agencies. “

Punjabi language test will be a requirement for admission, and if a candidate does not achieve at least 50% proficiency in Punjabi, they will not be included in the final merit list from which the candidates will be selected, irrespective of their performance. But the question paper of the exam.

“Similarly, as amended in clause (d) of rule 5 in the State of Punjab (Group-D) Service Rules, 1963, the words ‘Provided that no person shall be appointed to any post’ shall mean in any service by direct appointment, unless he has passed the qualifying examination of Punjabi language with at least 50% marks.

Other important decisions of the cabinet

The Punjab cabinet approved exemption from Motor Vehicle Tax (MVT) to specially designed vehicles used for the transportation of “light” of religious texts of different religions in the state so that sacred religious texts of every religion To be shown great respect and esteem. ,

According to an official statement, there are around 25,000 such vehicles in the state that are being used to carry the “light” of religious texts for religious ceremonies or religious events.

As per section 13(3) of Punjab Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1924, the MVT for this type of vehicle is broadly 10,000 per year. However, the state government has decided to exempt these vehicles from tax.

The move is likely to have a financial impact of approx. 200 million 25 crore to the government, it said.

The cabinet also approved changes in the rules of Punjab Minor Minerals Rules 2013 to increase the penalty range from existing 5,000- from 25,000 50,000- 2.5 lakh to stop illegal mining in the state.

(with inputs from PTI)