New Delhi: The Narendra
Modi government is likely to take a major decision of the lowering of the
mandatory retirement age for its employees to 58 years old, two years earlier
than what the present law requires.
It would be one of the major decisions to be taken by the BJP
government after came to power to curb slow manpower turn-over in government.
The present law setting the mandatory retirement age at 60 years
old may be affecting the bureaucracy’s productivity.
Since studies show that Indian people reaching the age of 50 years
old tend to suffer from a decline of cognitive and physical abilities.
That older employees also find it harder to adapt to modern
technology, which is must required to develop the nation.
The youth voters in country have increased and so the BJP also
wants to focus on young voters to say, “More retirees would mean more job
openings for the youth.”
PM Modi earlier said at New York’s Madison Square Garden, that
India, which is the youngest country in the world, will live up to the expectations.
“There is an atmosphere of hope and enthusiasm. India wants change.
A country with such a huge population of young people does not have a need to
look back,” he added.
“India is a youthful nation with a very old culture. 65 percent of
Indians are below the age of 35,” he said.
“The government may clear the decrease in the retirement age either
by June 30 or after receiving the Seventh Pay Commission report” said a source.
It may be likely to be a part of the terms of reference of the Seventh
Pay Commission, expected to file its report in 2015.
The decrease in retirement age would be happening first time after
Independence. In 1998, the BJP government led by Atal Bihari Bajpai increased
the retirement age to 60 from 58 following implementation of the Fifth Pay
Commission.
Experts said it would put pressure on the government exchequer for
payment of retirement benefits. However, sources confirmed this would be
manageable.
The move to decrease the retirement age may pressure the states to
follow it.
The BJP led Haryana government has already declared yesterday
decided to lower the retirement age of its employees from 60 to 58 years.
TST
