Centre seeks 2 months more to decide on Panjab University teachers’ retirement age

The Centre today told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the issue of enhancing Panjab University teachers’ age to 65 was under its active consideration.

The Centre, as such, sought two months’ additional time from the court to take a decision on its directions to consider and take a final decision on Panjab University Senate’s resolution on amending the age from 60 to 65.

As the matter came up for hearing before the division bench of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain informed the court that the matter was under the active consideration but it would need more time to take a final decision on the issue. For the purpose, it was consulting all the stakeholders.

Jain also filed an affidavit of Sanjay Kumar under Secretary, Ministry of Education, to the effect.

He informed the bench that the Government of Punjab had opposed the proposal of enhancing the age of retirement of Panjab University teachers from 60 to 65.

Jain submitted that other stakeholders were also to be consulted on issues, including financial consideration. As such, he sought two months’ time to enable the Government of India to take a final decision.

Taking note of Jain’s submission, the bench adjourned the hearing to January 21 next to enable the Centre to take an appropriate decision on this issue and place it before the high court.