MOHALI: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday handed over 866 more appointment letters in Mohali, taking the total number of government jobs provided in just four-and-a-half years to 69,094. 
"Transparent recruitment process has replaced the old system where cash and recommendations were considered essential for securing a government job," he said, pointing out that the growing confidence of the youth in the system and the declining trend of migration abroad reflected the impact of providing opportunities on the basis of merit. Highlighting Punjab’s progress in education, he said the State had surpassed Kerala to rank first in the country, with 882 government school students clearing NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) serving as proof of the transformation.
These 866 appointments include 636 candidates of the Health & Family Welfare Department, including 614 Staff Nurses and other staff comprising 3 Pharmacists, 13 Multi-purpose Health Workers (Male), 2 Ward Attendants, 1 Class-IV employee and 3 Sweepers. Besides, 101 candidates have been appointed in Sugarfed, 57 as Junior Auditors, 51 in the Defence Services Welfare Department, 11 in the Cooperative Department and 10 candidates as Law Officers in the Home Department.
 Addressing the gathering after distributing the appointment letters, Mann said hard work and dedication have been the sole criteria for selection. Gone are the days when jobs were given on the basis of bribery or recommendations. "Today, the State Government gives jobs to eligible candidates. All appointments have been made purely on the basis of merit, transparency and fairness, without any recommendation or political influence,” he said.
Urging the newly appointed youth to remain humble, Mann said, “You have worked hard and burnt the midnight oil to achieve these positions, and sky is the limit for you. Continue striving for higher jobs and greater success, but do not feel proud of your achievement. Stay humble, remain grounded and continue to work hard.”
Calling upon the new recruits to serve society, the Chief Minister said, “You have now become an integral part of the Government family. Use your pen to help the needy and underprivileged sections of society and ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society benefits from your service. This is the real service of mankind, for which every new appointee should play a key role