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
