In an attempt to make government departments corruption-free, the Haryana government has announced that government officials found guilty of graft will be forced to retire at the age of 50.
This decision comes as part of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s efforts to ensure a clean and accountable administration.
At present, the retirement age for government employees in Haryana is set at 58 years, with extensions granted at the age of 50 and 55 based on performance reviews. However, under the new rules, any officer or employee involved in corruption will not be eligible for extensions and will be compulsorily retired at 50.
As per the directions by the newly appointed Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, the Haryana government follows a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and committees have been formed to assess the performance of officers, reviewing their last ten years of annual confidential reports (ACRs).
If an officer receives at least seven positive reviews, their work is considered satisfactory, making them eligible for an extension. However, those with fewer positive remarks will not get an extension. Rastogi confirmed that one officer has already been recommended for action under this policy.
To ensure fairness, the government will also set up an appellate committee where officials forced into retirement can present their case. Additionally, review committees will be formed in boards and corporations to ensure that corrupt employees are identified and removed.
Last month, the government took strict action against HCS officer Regan Kumar, a 2011-batch official, by forcing him into retirement due to serious allegations against him. His last working day was January 29.
In another anti-corruption stand the state government has also banned the extension of Group B officers in the Revenue Department as part of its broader anti-corruption initiative. Under the existing rules, the government employees receive a five-year extension at 50 and a three-year extension at 55, but now, those found guilty of corruption will be ineligible for these benefits and will have to retire early.
