The Tamil Nadu Government, on the 7th of May, announced to increase the retirement age of government employees.
Previously the retirement age was 58 years old, but with the new announcement, all the employees working under state owned companies could work till the age of 59.
The State Government, released a statement regarding the same which read, “The retirement age of government employees, teachers working in government and government aided schools, and state government undertakings has been increased.”
Though the reason for sudden increase in the retirement age is not given, it is predicted to be due to the shortage of employees to fight against the Novel Coronavirus.
However, an official announcement specifying the reason for such a step is yet to be made.
Meanwhile the Indian National Congress (INC) leader S. Peter Alphones criticised the State Government for the decision and said, “This is nothing but a distress sale. Only Central government can help in the present crisis. Only if all Chief Ministers come together, they can bargain. But even that is not happening,” He added, “In view of the financial stress arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the periodic surrender of earned leave for encashment for 15 days every year/30 days every two years… is suspended initially for a period of one year to all the government employees and teachers.”
The opposition parties deemed the action to be a strategy to save money and improve the economic worsened due to the Novel Coronavirus crises.
The orders of the increased retirement age comes into effect immediately from the 7th of May.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is one of the worst affected states for the spread of the Novel Coronavirus and recorded 4,829 cases of the Novel Coronavirus with 35 fatalities till date.
No reason was given by the government for this decision.
Source: IANS.
