Punjab bars unauthorised use of prefix ‘Dr’ by officers

Taking a serious note of officers from the agriculture, horticulture and water and soil conservation departments calling themselves ‘Doctor’, the Punjab government has made it clear that officers who do not have the requisite qualification will not be allowed to use the prefix ‘Dr’.

Taking a serious note of officers from the agriculture, horticulture and water and soil conservation departments calling themselves ‘Doctor’, the Punjab government has made it clear that officers who do not have the requisite qualification will not be allowed to use the prefix ‘Dr’.

“Only a person holding a PhD degree or a degree in medicine is authorised to use the word ‘Doctor’. Others are not allowed to use it,” a spokesman said here on Wednesday, quoting government instructions. He said the practice was prevalent mostly in the departments of agriculture and horticulture.

He added that the government had instructed the heads of the agriculture, horticulture and water and soil conservation departments to stop this “illegal practice” immediately. Disciplinary action would be initiated against officers using the prefix ‘Doctor’ without holding the relevant degree.