Retirement age of TN government staff to be reduced?
The State government is mulling reducing the retirement age of government staff which is now 60 years to 58 again or 59 as this could increase job opportunities for youngsters.
According to government sources, the State Finance Department is finding it difficult in paying salaries and is worried about escalating expenditures. “There is a proposal to revert to the previous age system as an extension of service will only add to the financial crisis. The issue is now pending before the Finance Department and if there is a clearance from the Chief Minister’s office, then the files will start moving to the Personnel and Administrative department,” a source said.
Early this year, former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had announced in the Assembly that the retirement age of State government employees was increased from 59 to 60 years and government orders were subsequently passed. The order applied to employees of the government and government-aided schools, legal and constitutional bodies, government sectors, local bodies, commissions, boards and unions.
A section of the TN government employees’ association (TNGEA) took exception to the decision and said that the retirement age extension would affect job prospects of several youth. Stalin, the then leader of the opposition, had termed the announcement as an attempt by the State to woo the government staff ahead of assembly elections.