Patiala, May 11 -- The hefty bills, in some cases exceeding Rs.4 lakh, submitted by empanelled private medical specialists hired by the Punjab government have raised the hackles of the government doctors' body, who said that their monthly remunerations now exceed those of the state's senior-most bureaucrats.

The state government started empanelling private medical specialists in December last year to address the chronic shortage crippling secondary healthcare services.

Official data reveal that, out of the 2,098 sanctioned posts of medical specialists in Punjab, only 1,000 are currently filled, leaving nearly 50% of the positions vacant. No regular recruitment has been carried out in the state since 2022.

Health minister Dr Balbir Sing...