The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday, January 31, enhanced the retirement age for its employees by two years to 62. Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan promulgated the AP Public Employment (Regulation of Age of Superannuation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 to this effect. On January 21, the state Cabinet approved the proposal to amend the AP Public Employment (Regulation of Age of Superannuation) Act, 1984 in line with the announcement made by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on January 7.
In the Ordinance, the Governor said the amendment to the Act would come into effect from January 1, 2022. The Act was previously amended in 2014 increasing the retirement age from 58 to 60 years. Justifying the enhancement in retirement age, the government noted that there has been a significant improvement in the average life expectancy compared to 2014.
As per the World Health Organisation, the global average life expectancy in 2019 was around 73 years and the average Indian lived up to 70 years, it said, adding there has been a general improvement in health conditions as well.
"To utilise the experience and expertise of the senior employees and considering the increased life expectancy and improved health conditions in general, it has been proposed to enhance the current age of superannuation from 60 to 62 years for all state government employees," a gazette notification said.
On January 7, the Andhra Pradesh government increased the retirement age from 60 to 62 years while also announcing a wage enhancement for its employees with a fitment of 23.29%.
Meanwhile, as the stand-off between employees and the state government continues over the issue of Pay Revision Commission, the government has reportedly invited employees’ union leaders for talks yet again on Tuesday, February 1. Employees’ unions had earlier issued a strike notice saying they will go on strike from February 7 if their demands aren’t met.