Service extension policy for state govt employees scrapped

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Monday scrapped the policy of granting optional extension in service to its employees after retirement.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the state cabinet in line with the budget announcement of reverting to the earlier retirement age of 58 from 60 “in order to generate employment for the youth.”

The cabinet, led by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, approved an amendment to the Punjab Civil Services Rules to make the necessary policy change, in accordance with the announcement made by finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal during his budget speech on February 28.

A spokesperson said employees who have attained the age of 59 or 61, and are availing the second year of optional extension in service, or whose second year optional extension is scheduled to start from April 1, 2020, will stand retired with effect from March 31, 2020.

Similarly, employees on first year of optional extension in service, who have attained the age of 58 or 60 years, and are availing the first year of optional extension in service, or whose first year optional extension is scheduled to start, shall stand retired from the service from September 30, 2020.

The extension had adversely impacted the promotion chances of the feeder categories of employees, triggering resentment among the employees.

“It was felt that the existing unemployment scenario demanded increasing the employment avenues for the youth, both within and outside the government.

The optional extension policy for existing employees was contrary,” the spokesperson said.

ACT AMENDED FOR ADDL BORROWING

The cabinet also decided to amend the Punjab Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, to allow the state to make an additional borrowing of Rs 928 crore in 2019-20 over and above its net borrowing ceiling of 3% of gross state domestic product.

PROCUREMENT FINANCIAL GAP: PANEL FORMED

The cabinet constituted a cabinet sub-committee to address the financial gap resulting from the systemic issues in the foodgrain procurement process.

The three-member sub-committee comprises finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, rural development and panchayats minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and food and civil supplies minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu.

MEASURES TO COMBAT CORONAVIRUS

Amid the growing scare of deadly coronavirus, the cabinet also announced emergency measures, including setting up of ‘flu corners’ in all government and private hospitals to prepare for any exigency arising from the epidemic.