Himachal HC directs HP Govt to retain employee till age 60, Grants ‘Interim Relief’

Himachalscape bureau February 26, 2025 3 minutes read

Shimla, Feb 26,

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The debate over employee retirement policies in Himachal Pradesh has taken a legal turn, following a significant interim order by the state’s High Court. The issue revolves around the State government’s practice of retiring employees at the age of 58. In a recent development, a single bench of Justice Sandeep Sharma issued an interim order on February 25, 2025, directing the state government not to retire a employee until they reach the age of 60.

“ In view of the above, it is ordered that the petitioner shall be allowed to continue on the post till the final disposal of the petition or attainment of 60 years by the petitioner. whichever is earlier,” stated the court directive.

This decision came after the state government failed to respond to a similar matter in court, prompting the judge to rule in favour of the employees seeking clarity on their retirement status. The court’s interim relief was granted in response to a petition filed by an employee affected by the state’s enforcement of the 58-year retirement age, with the government unable to provide a clear justification for maintaining this policy.

“ Since no order has been placed on record suggestive of the fact that judgment dated 28.05.2024 passed by this Court in CWP No. 2274 of 2021 titled as Satya Devi Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors., whereby similarly situate persons have been entitled to continue in service upto the age of 60 years, has been stayed by Hon’ble Apex Court, prayer made on behalf of the petitioner for interim relief deserves to be allowed,” noted the single bench directive.

Noteworthy that the court’s order carries significant implications for the State administration, which has been grappling with a shortage of new recruits. Raising the retirement age to 60 could potentially ease this staffing crunch by retaining experienced personnel and reducing the immediate demand for new hiring and training processes.

Moreover, extending the retirement age could result in considerable financial savings for the state government. A senior Himachal Administrative Service (HAS) officer indicated that the current policy would require an additional allocation of approximately Rs. 1 crore per employee to cover retirement benefits such as gratuity and pensions. This financial burden, combined with the staffing shortfall, has fuelled speculation that the government may contemplate a formal increase in the retirement age.

However, the final resolution of the matter remains pending. The High Court has granted the state government time until April 21, 2025, to file a detailed response. Until then, the interim order remains in effect, offering temporary relief to the employees affected by the current retirement policy.

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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