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Chandigarh / The Times of India
Punjab Cabinet approved empanelment of 300 doctors across 12 specialties to boost healthcare. This move aims to enhance specialist availability and improve secondary healthcare quality in government facilities. Specialists will receive fees per patient, with incentives for night duties. A proposal for border area incentives for government doctors and teachers is also underway.
A protest by Punjab Roadways contractual employees against the Kilometre Scheme turned violent, leading to a police officer being set ablaze with petrol. The agitation crippled transport services across Punjab, with over 3,000 buses off-road. The incident occurred when police attempted to disperse workers atop buses.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda emphasized a wellness model for national health at the National Health Conference, highlighting the expansion of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres for accessible, preventive care. The event also honored Dr. Raj Bahadur with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to orthopedics and medical education, and Dr.
Panjab University's Senate election schedule has been formally approved by the Chancellor after weeks of protests, bringing relief to the campus. While celebrations erupted, a student group vows to continue agitation until three other demands, including FIR quashing and rollback of new SOPs, are met. Negotiations are scheduled for Thursday.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met farmers in Punjab, praising their stubble management efforts. He discussed free-trade agreements, farmer income, MSP talks, and the challenge of stubble burning, aiming to replicate Punjab's success in other states. Chouhan emphasized stubble as a resource rather than a problem.

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