RANCHI: In a decisive move during the Jharkhand Assembly’s budget session on Saturday, the state government firmly rejected demands to increase the retirement age of its employees. Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore emphasized that no such proposal is under consideration, prioritizing youth employment instead.
The debate ignited when Chatra MLA Janardan Paswan from LJP urged raising the retirement age from 60 to match central government norms, where doctors and teachers retire at 65. He pointed to Chhattisgarh’s recent hike to 62 years and highlighted Jharkhand’s doctor and university teacher retirement at 65, arguing for staff shortages.
Kishore countered that each state tailors policies to its geography, finances, and needs. ‘Chhattisgarh acted per its context, but here, with educated unemployed youth waiting, we focus on filling vacancies swiftly under Chief Minister Hemant Soren,’ he stated. Extending retirement would limit new jobs, he added.
Separately, Khijri Congress MLA Rajesh Kachhap raised backlog vacancies for SC, ST, and OBC categories, claiming thousands remain unfilled without proper inclusion in recruitments. He demanded a time-bound policy.
The minister clarified that claims of over 50,000 backlog posts are inaccurate. ‘We’re conducting department-wise recruitments with full reservation compliance, prioritizing backlogs transparently and speedily. Instructions have been issued for quick action,’ Kishore assured.
This stance underscores the government’s youth-centric approach amid ongoing employment drives, balancing veteran retention with fresh opportunities in Jharkhand’s evolving administrative landscape.