The Punjab Council of Ministers, headed by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, has decided now to bring Medical Officers (Dental) also in the ambit of medical professionals who will get their full salaries, including allowances, during probation period also.The cabinet on Thursday cleared a proposal to waive off the condition of basic pay only for Medical Officers (Dental), just days after it had approved a similar waiver for MBBS probationers in government hospitals.The move is aimed at ensuring the best dental treatment and diagnostic services in government healthcare institutions by engaging professional Dental Officers.The matter was put up before the cabinet after it was brought to the government’s notice that the Medical Officers (Dental) were also part of the PCMS cadre and should also be considered for relaxation from the condition of basic salary only during their probation period.
The cabinet decision would facilitate new Medical Officers (Dental) to get full salary in the pay scale of Rs.15600-39100+5400/- Grade pay, a spokesperson of Chief Minister's Office disclosed.The spokesperson said that exemption from the condition of basic pay during probation period to the newly appointed Medical Officers (Dental) was being provided on the same analogy as already done in the case of Punjab Civil Services (Judicial Branch), Assistant Teachers/Scientists of Punjab Agriculture University, Specialist Doctors and Medical Officers (MBBS).Except these categories, all newly appointed employees/officers of Punjab Government, including Medical Officers (Dental), were getting only basic salary during their probation period, as per the notification issued by the Finance Department on January 15, 2015.