PANAJI
In a significant administrative move, the Goa cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to enhance the superannuation age of Chief Engineers in key infrastructure departments from 60 to 62 years.
The decision applies to the head-honchos at Public Works Department (PWD), Water Resources Department (WRD), Department of Drinking Water (DDW), and the Goa Electricity Department (GED).
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who chaired Wednesday's cabinet meeting, announced the decision at his customary post-cabinet press briefing.
He clarified that the two-year extension will not be automatic and will be subject to specific conditions.
“The Chief Engineer will be allowed to continue up to the age of 62 only if there is no other eligible engineer in the department qualified to take over the post at the time of his or her retirement at 60,” Sawant said.
The move is aimed at ensuring continuity in leadership and technical oversight in departments that play a critical role in executing infrastructure projects and ensuring utility services like electricity and water supply across the State.
It is also expected to address gaps in succession planning, especially in departments where senior-level vacancies are difficult to fill due to limited availability of personnel who fit the promotion and recruitment rules (RRs).
Sources within the administration indicated that the decision was prompted by recent retirements and the need to retain experienced officers to oversee ongoing programmes, including water supply augmentation, road development, and power infrastructure upgrades.
While the extension is seen as a pragmatic step to maintain operational stability, it is also controversial as multiple extensions granted to chief engineers in the past had kicked up rows including challenges in the courts.
A case in point is the current Principal Chief Engineer of PWD, Uttam Parsekar, who is currently serving his third one-year extension.
Some officials have raised concerns about stagnation and delayed promotions for engineers down the line.
The cabinet’s decision, however, aligns with similar measures taken in other States to extend the retirement age of senior technical officers, particularly in sectors facing talent shortages.
However, Goa’s conditional approach -- tying the extension to the absence of eligible successors -- adds a layer of accountability and flexibility.
