Govt mulls extension of retirement age as it considers deferring salary cut plan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Recent report claims that the state government is considering suggestions such as the extension of retirement age in order to find funds if it is to back off from its move to deduct salary of government employees for six more months. At present, Kerala and Jharkhand have the lowest retirement age in the country- 56.

Earlier, the government had planned to extend the salary deduction of employees for 6 more months in the wake of COVID-19 induced economic crisis. However, the move was deferred following opposition from Left unions and a directive from the party leadership. CPM state leadership has asked the government to meet with the unions and reach a consensus on the salary deduction. If these discussions fail, the government will be forced to consider the suggestions put forward by the expert panel headed by former chief secretary KM Abraham.