Diary Times News Service
Shimla, August 14: The Himachal Pradesh government is preparing to raise the retirement age of Class IV employees from 58 to 60 years following a demand from employee unions and a ruling by the Himachal Pradesh High Court. The personnel department has formally initiated the process by sending a letter to the finance department, seeking extensive inputs and clearances before going ahead.
The proposal stems from long-standing grievances of Class IV employees, who argue that the current retirement policy discriminates against employees appointed after May 10, 2001. Under the existing rules, these employees are mandated to retire at the age of 58, while their counterparts appointed before this date retire at the age of 60. This disparity has led to widespread discontent, leading to several legal challenges.
In a significant ruling on February 21, 2018, the Himachal Pradesh High Court struck down the state government’s notification imposing a retirement age of 58 for employees appointed after May 2001. A division bench of Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua heard 112 petitions filed by the affected employees. The bench ruled that Class IV employees who continued to serve even after the age of 58 under interim orders should be allowed to work till 60 years.
Acting on the court’s directions, the Personnel Department has sought approval from the Finance Department to standardize the retirement age for all. After the approval of the Finance Department, the proposal will be sent to the state Cabinet for final approval.
The move is expected to bring relief to thousands of Class IV employees, who have long argued that the existing policy is unjust. Employee organisations have been vocal about the need for uniform retirement policies that do not discriminate on the basis of appointment date. If approved, the new policy will remove this inequality, ensuring equal treatment for all Class IV employees in Himachal Pradesh.
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