The State government employees are anxiously waiting for the government to initiate the process of enhancing the retirement age limit to 61 from the existing 58.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced his government’s resolve to enhance the retirement age of the government staff in the run-up to the recent elections and the issue figured in the manifesto of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi. With the TRS returning to power with landslide victory, the employees are waiting for the government to fulfil the promise made by the ruling party.
Though the Chief Minister was sworn in on December 13 along with Home Minister Mohd. Mahmood Ali, the expansion of the Council of Ministers is likely to take some more time, increasing the anxiety levels among the employees, especially those who are set to retire on December 31.
According to the representatives of the employees associations, close to 450 employees are set to retire on December 31 this year. The number of employees who will attain superannuation by January-end is around 520.
Prospective effect
The Government had to seek the ratification of the Council of Ministers for enhancing the age of retirement as it would require an amendment to the AP Public Employees (Regulation of Age of Superannuation) Act, 1984 which was adopted by the government post bifurcation. This should be followed by introduction and passage of the amendment Bill in the Legislature as and when the session is convened. “The Bill will be prospective, not retrospective meaning the employees who are set to retire before its passage will stand to lose the benefit of enhanced retirement age,” a senior official told The Hindu .
A section of officials are, however, of the view that the issue could take some more time as the government has to go through the financial and other implications of enhancing the retirement age. Besides, it should also factor in the scope for discontent among the youth who are pinning their hopes on securing government jobs as their prospects would be affected if the retirement age is increased.
