Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa seeks governor’s intervention over cancellation of psychologist recruitment | Chandigarh News

Chandigarh: Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa wrote to the Punjab governor on Monday, seeking his urgent intervention over what he described as the “arbitrary cancellation” of a concluded recruitment process for psychologists and its replacement through outsourcing.In his communication, Bajwa informed the governor that on January 5, a delegation of 180 selected psychologists, chosen through a completed recruitment process conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, met him. According to Bajwa, “Their grievance raises serious constitutional, administrative, and public interest concerns warranting your immediate intervention.”

Detailing the recruitment, Bajwa stated that BFUHS issued an advertisement on April 24, 2025, for 343 posts of psychologist on a contract basis under the directorate of health and family welfare, Punjab. “The recruitment process was comprehensive and transparent, comprising a written examination, counselling and document verification, and preparation of a final merit list,” he wrote. He added, “The written examination was conducted on May 26, 2025, results were declared on June 2, 2025, and counselling and document verification concluded on June 23, 2025. With these steps completed, the recruitment reached its logical conclusion, leaving only the issuance of appointment letters.” Bajwa alleged that despite this, “the govt abruptly cancelled the entire selection process on December 18, 2025, citing undefined ‘administrative reasons’.” He further pointed out, “Alarmingly, on the very same date, the govt issued a memo directing the immediate engagement of 200 Counsellors or Psychologists through outsourcing, to be completed within 3 weeks under District De-Addiction or Rehabilitation Societies.” Calling the move questionable, he wrote, “This sequence of events raises serious questions about arbitrariness, non-application of mind, and the circumvention of a duly concluded, merit-based recruitment process.” Seeking specific intervention, Bajwa urged the Governor “to call for an urgent and detailed report from the Department of Health and Family Welfare explaining the cancellation of a concluded recruitment process and the decision to outsource identical posts.” He also appealed “to urge the govt of Punjab to immediately issue appointment letters to the 180 selected Psychologists, strictly in accordance with the final merit list prepared pursuant to Advertisement No BFU-25/10, in order to uphold constitutional principles, protect public interest, and ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential mental health and de-addiction services.” Concluding his letter, Bajwa said, “I am confident that you will appreciate the seriousness of the issue and intervene to safeguard the rule of law, fairness in public employment, and the health interests of the people of Punjab.”