IMPHAL, February 29: The state government hardly adopt service extension policy for retired government employees rather it re-engaged retired employees in the event of urgent requirement, said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, on the floor of the house today.
The Chief Minister was responding to calling attention motion moved by the opposition MLA L Ibomcha Singh and Kh Joykishan, on the reported extension of service of many retired employees engaged by the Government.
Ibobi admitted that both the centre and state governents have powers with regards to extending the service of retired employees yet it refrain from doing so. He said the service extension incurred extra financial burden on the shoulder of the Government which is why it re-engage to avoid extra financial inolvement.
He explained that under the re-engagement system an employee is entitled with the last pay drawn of his superanuation period as their montly honorarium, deducting the pension.
By adopting the re-engagement policy the Government ensure that the promotion line of junior officers is hinder, he said.
Admitting that there may be a case or two of service extension out of urgency however the number is negligible, he contended.
Further substantiating the statement, Ibobi pointed out that in the wake of the ban on recruitment in the state there are around 25,000 clear vacancy for different posts in different departments. Yet, the Government limits its recruitment careful enough to avoid shouldering extra financial burden of paying salaries at the same ensuring that a department functions without any hindrance, he asserted.
Moving their motion the opposition MLAs sought clarification from the concerend authority on the basis of service extension policy adopted by the Government.
According to them the policy has become a discouraging element for other employees deserving a promotion besides raised eyebrow from different angle.