Punjab Regularizes 65,000 Contractual Workers

The India — Punjab, India>>> Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann>>>, has approved a comprehensive roadmap to dismantle the decades-old contractual employment system and regularize over 65,000 workers across 51 government departments. This historic decision aims to eliminate the role of private contractors, establish a direct employer-employee relationship, and provide job security, dignity, and a clear pathway to permanent service for thousands of employees. The government approved the repeal of the India — Punjab, India Adhoc, Contractual, Daily Wage, Temporary, Work Charged and Outsourced Employees' Welfare Act, 2016, and cleared two new legislative frameworks: the India — Punjab, India State Outsourced Personnel (Transition to Contractual Engagement) Bill, 2026, and the India — Punjab, India Contractual Personnel (Absorption Against Sanctioned Vacancies) Bill, 2026. Under the new policy, outsourced Group C and Group D employees with five years of continuous service will become contractual employees, with those in hazardous categories eligible after three years. After ten years of contractual service, employees will be considered for absorption into regular sanctioned posts. The reform covers various sectors, including power, local government, cooperative institutions like Spinfed>>> and India — Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation>>>, school education, and transport. Additionally, the Cabinet granted ex-post facto approval for a sub-committee, including Harpal Singh Cheema>>>, Aman Arora>>>, and Baljit Kaur>>>, to address pending arrears of revised pay, pensions, leave encashment, and dearness allowance. Seven exclusive special courts were also approved for the speedy trial of corruption cases.