The senior officers in the state are enjoying extensions after retirement with PWD having highest numbers continue to enjoy high monthly salaries. It's often cited as a tool for furthering unethical practices. However, the spate of extensions has understandably led to unease among officers waiting in line to be appointed to important positions. It's well known that the PWD has not been able to recruit for its vacant posts over the years. Most of the extension granted officers draw salary of more than Rs 2 lakh. Are the extension granted due to lack of qualified persons to replace them? How would things change in these departments when promotions don't take place. Officers at the pinnacle of their career who were counting on being considered for such a position have been left disenchanted. It also sends a wrong signal to young officers. This is a menace that must be curbed. Recently the govt had amended the civil services retirement rules extending the retirement age to 62 years for PWD, GED, DWD, WRD depts for the post of Chief Engineers. Reducing retirement age will open up more vacancies for the youth.
