Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Sunday demanded increase in the qualifying upper age limit from 35 to 37 years for APST candidates applying for government jobs.
“The upper age limit of APST-candidates applying for any government job should be increased from the existing 35 years of 37 years in consequence to the raising of government employees’ retirement age from 58 to 60 years,” AAPSU General Secretary Tobom Dai told media persons at the press club here.
The union’s argument is that, because of the increased retirement age, unemployed youths would be “phased out and not qualify to sit for competitive examinations because of the age factor,” Dai said.
Dai appealed to the state government to implement Section 56(j) of the Fundamental Rules, saying the government should implement it “through a letter, as it has enhanced the retirement age of government employees.”
One of the provisions under the Fundamental Rules state that ‘the authority shall have the absolute right to retire any government servant(s) in the interest of public in letter and spirit, if he/she has attained the age of fifty years and inefficient mentally and physically, and who are involved in dereliction of duty owing to gross misconduct involving in corruption and moral turpitude should be given compulsory retirement subject to prior three months of notice.’
The apex student union’s demand comes following criticism from the employees’ federation, CoSAAP, for opposing the enhancement of the retirement age.
On the Chakma and Hajong issue, Dai informed that the Centre is convening a meeting in New Delhi on 4 January to discuss the issue, “and the AAPSU is sending a team to attend the meeting.”
The union also stated that the people of the affected areas, including the AAPSU’s federal units, should consult with the AAPSU before commenting on the vexed issue, considering its sensitivity.
