Latest news with #BalbirSingh
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Ryan Named One of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in India by Great Place To Work ®
HYDERABD, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, has been recognized as one of India's 100 Best Companies to Work for in 2025 by Great Place To Work ®, ranking 45. This year's recognition marks the third year Ryan has been selected as one of the premiere workplaces across India. Through a rigorous evaluation process, 100 organizations have been recognized as India's Best Companies to Work for in 2025. These companies have demonstrated exceptional performance in crafting innovative people practices and actively responding to employee feedback. Each company's commitment to building and nurturing a high-trust culture sets them apart, reflecting their dedication to creating workplaces where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. 'This is a significant milestone that reflects the unwavering commitment of our India team and their intentional focus on building culture rooted in trust, pride, and camaraderie,' said Ginny B. Kissling, President Americas and Chief Operating Officer. 'We are incredibly proud of our leaders and team members who are the backbone of this recognition. Thank you all for a job well done.' Great Place To Work, a global authority on workplace culture, has been at the forefront of advancing employee experience and people practices for more than three decades. Each year, more than 100 million employees spanning over 150 countries participate in the Great Place To Work assessment. This comprehensive evaluation enables organizations worldwide to benchmark their workplace culture and implement strategic actions to foster exceptional employee environments. 'I would like to congratulate Ryan's India team for accomplishing this milestone,' says Balbir Singh, CEO of Great Place To Work India. 'Getting recognized among India's Best Companies to Work for in 2025 is a testament to what's possible when trust is nurtured, people feel heard, and everyone feels they belong. We invite every leader to join us on this journey of becoming great.' Earning a spot on the list is an important indicator of overall company performance. Companies on the 100 Best list consistently outperform the market and exceed their competitors on key business measures like retention and innovation. A complete list of the winning companies can be found here. Learn more about exciting career opportunities with Ryan here. About Ryan Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. The Firm provides an integrated suite of international tax services on a multijurisdictional basis, including cost management, compliance, consulting, and technology services. Ryan is an 11-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognised as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multidisciplinary team of more than 5,900 professionals and associates serves over 77,000 clients in more than 80 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Docs end protest after stipend hike, bond review assurance
Resident doctors and MBBS interns across Punjab called off their strike on Monday following assurances from finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema and health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh. The decision came after a two-hour meeting with representatives of the Forum of Resident Doctors of Punjab in Chandigarh. Resident doctors and MBBS interns protest for demands at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar on Monday. (Sameer Sehgal/ht) During the meeting, the ministers agreed to the protesting doctors' key demands, including a hike in intern stipends, which led to the decision to end the strike. Additional chief secretary (finance) Alok Shekhar and principal secretary (health) Kumar Rahul were also present. As per the new agreement, the monthly stipend for MBBS interns has been increased from ₹ 15,000 to ₹ 22,000. Confirming the development, the health minister posted on social media platform X: 'The Punjab government has hiked intern stipends from ₹ 15,000 to ₹ 22,000 per month. This move ensures our healthcare services continue uninterrupted and stronger than ever.' The ministers also assured the formation of a committee to review the contentious ₹ 20 lakh service bond policy and recent fee hikes for MBBS students. The policy, introduced last week, mandates that MBBS and BDS students in government colleges sign a bond worth ₹ 20 lakh — meant to ensure service in Punjab's healthcare system after graduation. While the government defended the policy as a step to address the acute shortage of doctors in the state, medical students argued it placed an unreasonable financial burden on aspiring doctors, making medical education unaffordable for many. On Sunday, doctors and interns from government medical colleges across Punjab had threatened a complete shutdown of outpatient department (OPD) services from Monday in protest. The strike had sparked concern over the disruption of healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
The Print
6 days ago
- Health
- The Print
Discontent brewing since 2020, Punjab MBBS students protest Rs 5 lakh fee hike in 5 yrs, stagnant stipend
According to the protesting interns, the government policy has placed a growing financial burden on them, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds, which is made worse by the fact that their stipend remains stagnant at just Rs 15,000 per month. The discontent has been brewing since 2020, when fee for the 5.5-year MBBS course (including one year compulsory internship) was hiked by a steep 77 percent in government colleges—from Rs 4.4 lakh to Rs 7.8 lakh. Since then, the state has continued to increase the fee by 5 percent annually. New Delhi: More than 1,000 MBBS students and interns from various government medical colleges across Punjab are protesting against frequent hikes in course fee by the state and demanding an increase in their monthly stipend. Punjab's stipend amount is the lowest among neighbouring states: Haryana pays Rs 24,300 monthly, Himachal Pradesh Rs 20,000, Chandigarh Rs 30,070 and Delhi Rs 30,000. The protesters argue that despite rising costs and longer working hours, Punjab's support for its young doctors remains inadequate. Resident doctors in various government colleges have also lent their support to the student protests. 'I've taken up a part-time job elsewhere because I simply can't manage on this stipend,' said an MBBS intern from Government Medical College (GMC), Amritsar, speaking to ThePrint on the condition of anonymity. 'My family already took a Rs 5 lakh loan to cover my fees. I can't put them under more financial stress.' The student had joined the college in 2020, the year the fee was hiked. Since then, the fees have continued to rise every year: in 2021, it increased to Rs 8.21 lakh (up 5.2 percent), followed by Rs 8.6 lakh in 2022 (up 4.7 percent), Rs 9.05 lakh in 2023 (up 5.2 percent), Rs 9.50 lakh in 2024 (up 5 percent) and Rs 9.98 lakh in 2025 (5.05 percent). In contrast, tuition fee for the MBBS course in neighbouring states remains significantly lower—around Rs 3.19 lakh in Himachal Pradesh and Rs 4.5 lakh in Haryana for government colleges. Over five years, the cumulative fee hike in Punjab has crossed Rs 5 lakh with the stipend remaining constant which, the interns say, is 'unfair'. 'There has been a 5 percent increase in fees every year since 2020. The protest is more about the demand for an increased stipend, which has been taken up with the Finance Department,' Kumar Rahul, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab, told ThePrint over WhatsApp. ThePrint also reached out to Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh over call, but no response was received. The Director of Research and Medical Education refused to comment on the matter. Indian Medical Association (IMA) national spokesperson Dr. Dhruv Chauhan questioned the logic of charging fees equivalent to private colleges despite students clearing a national-level government exam like NEET. 'What's the point of qualifying such a tough exam if the state government demands private college-level fees?' He added that when such high fees are being charged, the least the government can do is offer a fair stipend—instead, what's given is 'as low as that of a bonded slave.' Chauhan also criticised the imposition of a bond system on young doctors, calling the entire approach 'mental torture for aspirants' and a move that is damaging the country's healthcare system. Also Read: Ventilators received under PM CARES 'faulty', majority lying unused, Punjab doctors claim 'Why not increase the stipend?' The protests first began on 7 May, with students sending multiple letters to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Governor, the Directorate of Research and Medical Education, and the Finance Department. However, they got no official response. Another letter was sent on 13 May, but when that too went unanswered, the students and interns intensified their protests across various government medical colleges, including GMC Faridkot and GMC Patiala. 'We began with gate rallies from our college to the hospital, followed by candle marches and sit-in protests,' Gurpreet, an intern at GMC Faridkot, told ThePrint. 'Despite our peaceful demonstrations, there was still complete silence from the authorities, so we took the protest online as well.' On 10 June, a delegation of protesters met with Dr Balbir Singh, Rahul Kumar, and the Director of Research and Medical Education at the cabinet office in Chandigarh. According to the students present at the meeting, officials informed them that a proposal regarding stipend revision and the state's new (compulsory service) bond policy had been sent to the Union Finance Ministry, but no action would be taken until the bypolls in Ludhiana were over. The election results were declared Monday. 'Elections are over, the results are out, yet the government has done nothing to address our demands,' said Dr Archit Bawa, an MBBS intern from GMC Amritsar. Another protester, Nishant, an MBBS intern from GMC Patiala, told ThePrint: 'We worked hard to secure a government seat. If this is the situation in public institutions, what hope do we have from the private sector?' 'Not just the tuition fee, we still have to cover hostel and mess expenses, all while surviving on a consistently low stipend. If they want to increase the fee, then why not the stipend too?' he asked. Despite working 12-hour shifts, the interns are continuing their demonstrations. They have warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, they may be forced to suspend their duties. 'We don't want it to come to that, but if the government continues to ignore us, we'll have no choice,' Nishant told ThePrint. The bond policy The budding doctors have also registered their protest against the bond policy introduced on 13 June for new entrants in government medical and dental colleges in Punjab. Under it, starting from the 2025-2026 academic session, students enrolling in government medical and dental colleges need to either serve in state-run healthcare facilities for two years after completing their degree, or pay a penalty of Rs 20 lakh. The protesters say the move, aimed at addressing the shortage of medical professionals in public health institutions, places an unfair burden on students. The bond policy also applies to students admitted through the all-India quota, but with a shorter service requirement—one year instead of two, as mandated for state quota students. Medical Student Association, Punjab, has demanded immediate removal of the policy. 'It has turned the dreams of MBBS and BDS students into a nightmare for 2025-26 session. We have been protesting on the streets, this has to stop. It feels like the government is stomping on our dreams,' reads a memorandum submitted to the government by the student delegation, seen by ThePrint. (Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui) Also Read: More beds, new mattresses – Faridkot hospital was spruced up two days before minister's visit
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Covid-19 tally hits 73 with 9 new cases in Ludhiana
Jun 24, 2025 05:44 AM IST Nine new Covid-19 cases were reported in the district on Monday, taking the tally to 73 cases so far. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh assured the public that the situation is well under control and urged citizens not to panic. (HT Photo) The new cases include six men and three women, four of whom are above 60. All of them are reported to be either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Of the total 73 cases reported so far, only 22 are positive at present. While 19 of these are in home isolation, three patients are reported to be hospitalized and 48 people have recovered. Three people have died of infection so far. Most of the people reported have already been vaccinated for Covid-19. Meanwhile, health minister Dr Balbir Singh, who was in the city on Monday, assured the public that the situation is well under control and urged citizens not to panic. He highlighted the importance of adhering to Covid-19 guidelines, such as wearing masks in crowded places and maintaining hygiene. 'If experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, or breathing difficulty, isolate yourself, wear a mask, and consult the nearest health centre,' the department said in a press release.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Punjab health minister inspects civil hospital
Jun 24, 2025 05:40 AM IST Health and family welfare minister of Punjab, Dr Balbir Singh reached the civil hospital here on Monday to inspect the facilities and assess the quality of services at the facility. Punjab health minister Balbir Singh interacting with patients in Ludhiana on Monday. (HT Photo) During the inspection, the minister took serious note of recent incidents of theft, including the stolen cover of water tanks, allegedly removed with malicious intent. Expressing strong disapproval, the minister immediately directed police officials to take swift action and ensure the culprits are arrested at the earliest. He emphasised a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of malpractice or negligence in public health institutions. Dr Balbir toured various wards during the visit, interacting with patients and their families to gather firsthand feedback on hospital services. He assured them of the government's commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring accessible, quality treatment for all. Issuing a stern warning against corruption, the health minister declared, 'If any employee is found taking bribes for work, strict disciplinary action will be taken immediately.' He urged hospital staff to uphold integrity and reminded them, 'This is your hospital, and it is your responsibility to run it with honesty and dedication.' He instructed the hospital authorities to ensure that all facilities are well-maintained and that patient care remains the top priority. Speaking on dengue prevention, the minister stated that health department teams are actively conducting door-to-door inspections to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and raise awareness about symptoms and preventive measures. He appealed to the public to actively participate in the 'Har Shukarvaar, Dengue Te Vaar' campaign and follow departmental instructions to help curb the spread of the disease.
