Punjab Government decides not to increase retirement age

Chandigarh, Apr 3 (ANI): The Punjab Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday, rejected a proposal to enhance the retirement age to 60 years from the existing 58 years.

An official spokesperson confirmed the news that retirement would remain unchanged at 58.

It has been reported that the Cabinet also gave, in principle, approval to increase the age for entry into government service from 35 to 37 years.

It was also decided in the meeting that all the departments should send comprehensive proposals to the government for recruitment of essential staff on priority.

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal and Food and Supply Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon are reported to have refused the proposal.

he Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier rejected a Punjab government order allowing public officials and staff extension of a year in service if they were retiring this year.

The High Court turned down the orders of the State Government under which the government officials and employees retiring between Jan 22 and December 31, 2010, were given an option of seeking an extension in service by one year.

District Development and Panchayat official Kuldeep Singh had filed a petition in this regard asserting that the government's order was unconstitutional and it would affect his service and promotion entitlement along with that of several others. (ANI)