Ranchi, April 13: In a major setback for0 teachers of Ranchi University (RU), Jharkhand High Court today clamped a stay on the execution of an earlier order, passed by a single bench, by which the superannuation age was raised from 62 to 65.

A division bench of Chief Justice Bhagwati Prasad and Justice Prakash Tatia stayed the order of Justice R.R. Prasad while hearing an appeal of the state government.

RU teachers, who turned 62 and were due to retire this year, had moved court. They argued that the UGC had amended its rules last July and increased the retirement age to 65. The regulations were incorporated in the UGC act and became a part of central legislation. But university teachers in the state were made to retire at 62 in keeping with the Jharkhand State Universities Act, which fixes the superannuation age at 62.

After hearing the arguments, Justice R.R. Prasad issued an order on January 10, 2011, holding that the retirement age should be increased to 65. The government, on its part, filed an appeal, which was pending.

In the mean time, the teachers moved a contempt petition at the court of Justice R.R. Prasad for implementation of his order. The judge asked the government to comply with its directive and granted time till April 18.

But the state filed a petition before the division bench. The government had stuck to its plea that since the Jharkhand State Universities Act has not been amended as yet, teachers could not be allowed any extension of service.

The matter will be again heard on April 29.