Punjab bans re-employment of retiring staff

Chandigarh, May 17 (IANS) The Punjab government Thursday directed all departments strictly not to grant extension in service or re-employ any staff after their date of retirement, a spokesman said here.

The directions came after it came to the notice of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that certain departments had re-employed retiring staff members, the spokesman said.

The chief minister directed that except for Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers, who could be given extension in service based on administrative necessity, no other officer or employee could be re-employed or granted extension in service. He added that this would also apply to cases of giving contractual employment to retiring staff.

The spokesman said the chief minister has also issued directions to take stern action against the department which provides re-employment to retired officials.

"The chief minister said that extension in service or re-employment could mar the chances of unemployed youths to get government jobs," the spokesman said.

He added that administrative secretaries of the erring department would be held responsible for any violation in this regard.