In a significant reversal, the Punjab government has abruptly terminated the recruitment process for 343 psychologists meant for its district de-addiction and rehabilitation societies. This decision comes despite having conducted a written examination and completed document verification for 180 shortlisted candidates, leaving aspirants in the lurch.
Recruitment Process Initiated and Then Scrapped
The recruitment drive was officially launched on April 24 when the Faridkot-based Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), acting as the nodal agency, advertised for the positions. The posts were on a contract basis under the state's department of health and family welfare, offering a fixed monthly salary of Rs 22,000. The essential qualification required was a regular MPhil or postgraduate degree in psychology, applied psychology, or clinical psychology.
The university conducted the written test on May 26 and subsequently shortlisted 180 candidates. A notice for document verification was issued on June 18, and the process was duly completed. However, in a sudden move, the directorate of health and family welfare issued a letter on December 18 cancelling the entire recruitment process with immediate effect.
Administrative Reasons and a Shift to Outsourcing
The official communication cited "administrative reasons" for the cancellation of all 343 psychologist posts. The university registrar was directed to inform all candidates and initiate the process to refund the application fees collected from them.
Sources within the department have indicated that the government now plans to hire psychologists through an outsourcing model. This shift is reportedly seen as an easier administrative process. More critically, insiders suggest the move is aimed at avoiding potential long-term demands for regularization of services from those who would have been recruited on contract.
Backlash and Concerns Over Job Security
The decision has sparked concern among employee associations. Representatives of contractual employees have voiced strong opposition to the proposed outsourcing model. They argue that while contractual government jobs offer lower salaries and limited security compared to regular posts, they still provide some semblance of being a government employee.
Outsourcing, they contend, translates to a pure "hire-and-fire" policy with virtually no job security or stability. The union has stated it is firmly against filling these crucial public health positions through outsourcing agencies.
When contacted, Baba Farid University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rajiv Sood confirmed the university's role, stating they had nearly completed the recruitment process as asked by the health department. He noted that while advertisements were issued for 343 posts, a significantly lower number of candidates applied, leading to only about 180 being shortlisted. Dr. Sood acknowledged learning about the cancellation but mentioned he had not yet seen the official letter and would review it. The future plans of the state government, he said, would become clearer later.
This cancellation raises questions about the stability of government recruitment processes and the future of human resource planning in Punjab's critical healthcare infrastructure, particularly in the sensitive domain of de-addiction and mental health rehabilitation.
