Retirement age of employees in MP raised to 62

◗ Around five lakh employees of MP government would benefit by the announcement

After showering sops on farmers, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday announced a big bonanza for employees of his government ahead of the year- end assembly polls in the state, by extending the retirement age for them by two years to 62.

He justified the decision to increase the retirement age of the state government employees, saying, “The issue relating to reservation in promotion in government sector is pending before the Supreme Court for long denying many employees to get promotion. The retirement age has been increased to do justice to them”. “Every employee has the right to get promotion”, he added. Around five lakh employees of MP government would benefit by the announcement.

The state government has earlier made a provision of reservation for SC/ ST employees in promotion, which has been set aside by the MP high court.

This has forced the state government to move the Supreme Court to challenge the high court’s order. However, the apex court has directed to maintain status quo till disposal of the case. Many employees could not avail the chance of getting promotions due to this. “I hope, the issue will be settled in the court within two years”, Mr Chouhan said. Opposition Congress however criticised the decision. “This will deprive the younger officials, employees from getting promotion,” Congress Legislature Party leader Ajay Singh said.