Plea in HC to deny retirement extension to corrupt govt staff

Chennai

The Division Bench comprising R Subbiah and Justice Krishnan Ramasamy, before whom the PIL moved by Karpagam came up for hearing on Monday, posted the matter to June 17 along with similar petitions.

Referring to the GO passed on May 7, enhancing the retirement age limit of government employees from 58 to 59, the petitioner said while the GO made it clear that the extension would not be applicable to persons against whom disciplinary proceedings are pending, the order is unclear about employees against whom charges are pending under PC Act and other heinous offences under IPC.

Pointing out that the government’s move enhancing the age limit for retirement irrespective of their service and conduct is arbitrary and unreasonable, the petitioner alleged that taking advantage of the order several employees, who are accused of criminal misconduct, are still in employment.

Based on this, she sought the court to call for a status report with regard to disciplinary and criminal proceedings pending and also remove all those who are facing the above charges. She also noted that the government, which passed the order because of the lockdown-induced financial constraints, will benefit a lot in the absence of such delinquent officials.