HC gives Centre 3 months for retirement age hike

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has mandated a three-month deadline for the central government to decide on raising the retirement age of aided private school teachers and employees from 58 to 60 years. This directive came after the court observed that the UT administration's recommendation in March 2023 had raised expectations among teachers, creating a dilemma due to the lack of a final decision from the Union of India.

The teachers contend that their retirement age should be increased to match that of government school teachers in Chandigarh, who have benefited from a 60-year retirement age since 2022 following a rule change. Prior to this, government school teachers were subject to Punjab's rules, which set the age at 58.

The court emphasized that both the Union of India and the UT administration cannot evade their responsibility or shift blame to each other. The ongoing delay leaves the petitioners in uncertainty, prompting the court to order the UT to send its proposal within one month, with the Centre then to make a final decision within three months, acknowledging that over three years have already passed since the proposal was initiated.