Punjab Govt to act tough on deadwood and corrupt employees in govt departments

In line with Budget anuncement to revert to earlier retirement for employees, Punjab Government has decided to do away with policy of optional extension in service period after retirement/superannuation, to generate employment for state’s youth.

Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, on Monday approved an amendment to Punjab Civil Services Rules to make necessary policy change, in accordance with anuncement made by Finance Minister during his Budget Speech on February 28, 2020.

During cabinet meeting, Chief Minister also asked Ministers to take steps to identify corrupt employees and deadwood and weed m out of ir respective departments, in a bid to improve efficacy and transparency in functioning.

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implementation of decision to lower retirement has necessitated an amendment to relevant Rule 3.26(a) of Punjab Civil Services Rules, Volume 1, Part 1, according to an official spokesperson.

With this decision, employees who are currently on second year of optional extension i.e. who have attained of 59 or 61 years, as case may be, and are availing second year of optional extension in service, or whose second-year optional extension is scheduled to start from April 1, 2020, shall stand retired from service w.e.f. March 31, 2020.

Similarly, employees on first year of optional extension in service i.e. who have attained of 58 or 60 years, as case may be, and are availing first year of optional extension in service, or whose first year optional extension is scheduled to start in inter-regnum period, shall stand retired from service w.e.f. September 30, 2020.

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state government had earlier allowed an extension to all employees

It may be recalled that State Government had earlier allowed extension in service to all categories of employees, up to of 60 or 62 years, on submission of option in this regard, as per (amended) Rule 3.26. This had enabled Government to make recruitment to fill up a large number of vacancies in government posts and tackle short of staff in various departments. However, with staff short w effectively mand, this ground for an optional extension can longer be justified, Cabinet felt.

Furr, extension in service had also led to promotion chances of feeder categories of employees being adversely impacted, triggering resentment among employees. This was ar reason for decision to do away with optional extension policy, said spokesperson.

It was also felt that existing unemployment scenario demanded to increase employment avenues for youth of state, both within and outside government. optional extension policy for existing employees was contrary to needs of existing scenario. Moreover, increasing expectations of residents for better citizen-centric service delivery called for young, energetic youth, with fresh and invative ideas, to be a part of Government service delivery mechanism, making it necessary to dispense with optional extension policy. 

In any case, felt Cabinet, policy was only for a temporary phase and was never intended to be a permanent feature. That is why date of retirement on superannuation has also been retained at 58 or 60 years in relevant Rule, with provision for extension in service kept to be used only under exceptional circumstances and in public interest only.

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