The Punjab government today gave its nod to regularise services of over 13,000 teachers recruited on contractual basis by the Department of School Education with effect from the next academic session.

The decision to regularise services of 9,998 teaching fellows and 4,000 education service providers with effect from April 1, 2011 was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here, an official spokesman said.

The cabinet also approved the uniformity in pay package of Rural Medical Officers (RMO) working under Zila Parishads on contractual basis.

The move will benefit 398 RMOs who would now get Rs 37,250 per month as against the earlier pay package of Rs 30,000 per month.

The government also approved a cash grant in lieu of land at the rate of Rs one lakh per acre of entitlement or more as may be decided by the government from time to time to disabled soldiers, widows, parents and dependent children of soldiers killed during wars with China and Pakistan and widows of Army personnel, BSF and PAP killed in Indo-Pak War of 1971.

The cabinet also gave its nod to increase the allowances and other facilities of Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Secretaries.

It also approved to enhance the pension of former MLAs.