Big news is coming out for the employees of Himachal Pradesh. A new update has come regarding increasing the retirement age. According to media reports, the Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu government of the state is seriously considering increasing the retirement age of employees from 58 to 59 years. An important decision can likely be taken on this in the cabinet meeting to be held on May 5. This news has brought a ray of hope for lakhs of employees of the state.
The government can take a ‘big’ decision keeping in view the future of the youth
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has indicated this while talking to the media in Shimla on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. He said that there will also be a presentation in the cabinet on whether the retirement age of employees will be increased or not and under what circumstances the retirement age of employees will be increased.
Keeping in mind the future of the youth, the government has to provide means of employment. The government hopes that increasing the retirement age by 1 year will provide partial relief from the pension burden. This statement has become a new topic of discussion among the employees.
Commutation will not stop now
Chief Minister Sukhu made it clear that the commutation of any officer or employee retiring in the state will not be stopped now. He said that on April 30, 1500 employees have retired in the entire state, and this needs to be considered. All the proposals of the cabinet sub-committee will be discussed. There is a provision to give a 40 percent pension advance to retired employees under commutation.
Here, the cabinet sub-committee constituted under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has submitted this proposal regarding pension reform to the government along with two other options. This decision has brought a big relief to the retiring employees.
There may be a ‘change’ in the retirement age of employees
In Himachal Pradesh, the retirement age of employees is expected to increase by one year. The retirement age of employees is likely to increase from 58 to 59 years. This will provide an option to fill the vacancies caused by retirement for one year and will also reduce the financial burden. Currently, the retirement age of IAS officers, doctors, professors, and others is 60 years and that of class III employees is 58 years. In such a situation, the government is now considering bringing uniformity in the retirement age limit.
Apart from this, 3 options have been suggested to not give advance pension on retirement of employees and to give full pension only after 25 years on the lines of Punjab. According to this option, employees will not be able to receive a part of their pension in a lump sum amount. Currently, the state government is giving a full pension after completing 20 years of service. This potential change can bring a major change in the pension rules.