States averse to raising teachers’ retirement age
By IANSFriday, June 18, 2010
NEW DELHI - Resisting the move to raise the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years, the states Friday asked the central government to delink the retirement age from pay.
Expressing their views on the issue during the meeting of National Foundation for Teachers’ Welfare, state education ministers said that education being a state subject, the central government could not force them on the issue.
The Sixth Pay Commission recommended that the retirement age for teachers be raised to 65 years. The states have also been asked to raise the salaries of teachers as per the commission’s recommendations.
Under a proposal approved by the union cabinet and the finance ministry, the central government has proposed to pay 80 percent of the additional cost incurred in increased payments for a fixed period of time. The states urged the ministry not to link the aid with raising the retirement age.
The human resource development ministry, however, maintained that the benifit will be given only if states agree to all the terms.
“We are not forcing anyone. States will get the additional fund if they implement it (raising the retirement age),” Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said.
“It is a cabinet decision. If states have any concerns, I will raise it with the cabinet and finance ministry,” he added.
