Bhubaneswar, June 25: The state government today increased the retirement age of its employees from 58 to 60 years. The decision comes into force with immediate effect.

The move, which is aimed at appeasing five lakh odd employees, was criticised by the Opposition parties on the ground of high level of unemployment in the state.

The state government will save nearly Rs 800 crore annually by deferring the payment of pension benefits to its employees, official sources said.

Early this week, the government had increased the retirement age of government doctors working in periphery hospitals from 60 to 62 years. Last year, retirement age of doctors who are teaching went up from 60 to 65 years.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said: “When the average longevity of people has gone up to 67 years, one should not object to employees’ retirement age being raised to 60 provided that educated youth are given jobs. Thousands of posts are lying vacant and a large number of youths are unemployed.”

Former finance minister Panchanan Kanungo, said: “The move will squeeze the employment opportunity of unemployed youths in the state.” BJP state unit president and MLA K.V. Singh Deo said: “While the government cannot provide jobs to the youth, they are going for the rehabilitation of people who have almost completed 30 years of service.”

Describing the decision as an unfortunate, CPM state secretary Janardan Pati said: “When a large number of educated youths are waiting for jobs, the government shouldn’t have raised the retirement age of its staff.”

Job aspirant have also reacted angrily to the move. “Had they done it before elections, there would have been a backlash. We don’t know what is in store for us,” said Bikram Das, 32, an Odisha Administrative Service aspirant. The number of unemployed youths registered with different employment exchanges of Odisha has crossed 10.83 lakh. Out of these, 19,012 youths got appointment in different organisations and offices between 2009 and October, 2013.

Government employees, however, reacted on predictable lines. Welcoming the move, Odisha Secretariat Association president Chittaranjan Hota said: “A number of posts are lying vacant. It will take time for the government to fill up the posts.”

Odisha Administrative Service Association’s President Nirmal Mishra said: “Most of the states have raised the retirement age of their employees.” He, however, refused to comment on the apprehension that the move would reduce the scope of employment for educated youths. “The government has decided to fill up 40,000 vacant posts within six months,” said Mishra.

other states

Central govt increased retirement age from 58 to 60 in 1998

Govt staff in J&K,Andhra retire at 60

In May, Himachal govt raised retirement age to 59 l

Chhatisgarh Assembly passed bill to raise retirement age of govt staff to 62

In Kerala, govt employees will henceforth retire at 60