NEW DELHI: In yet another move to keep states happy about their autonomous status, the Centre on Thursday is likely to clear the proposal of allowing them to decide on fixing the retirement age (maximum 65 years) of lecturers in colleges and universities run by state governments. The Centre had said it would bear 80% of the increased arrears for the first four-year period — between April 1, 2006, and March 31, 2010 — if states followed its order. Now, the government plans to foot this sum only in the form of reimbursements in "two-three" installments. This is likely to benefit around four lakh teachers across the country.
The ministry cleared this proposal after a committee of secretaries, headed by cabinet secretary, supported the state governments' demand.
Sources said that there could be political reasons for states to push the need for greater autonomy as far as fixing the retirement age is concerned. "Some states might want to fix 60 or 62 years for retirement so that fresh batch of qualified people can apply for jobs, and this will also increase the scope of promotion for many lecturers," said a senior government official.
The sixth pay package for teachers, based on which the scales of centrally-funded institutes were revised, has a provision that requires increasing the retirement age to 65 years. At present, the retirement age of teachers varies across states - from 58 to 60 years.
Edited By Cen Fox Post Team
