UP mulls forced retirement of inefficient officers

The Uttar Pradesh government is contemplating forced retirement for “non-performing” employees, who are aged above 50.

A decision to this effect is likely to be taken shortly, a senior state government official said. The official said a circular has been sent to all the heads of departments, asking them to “screen” the performance of government employees aged above 50, and submit a report. The list has to be prepared by July 31.

Official sources said the decision was made after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed displeasure over the performance of various departments, while preparing a report card of his government’s achievements during its first 100 days in office.

The chief minister, sources said, had taken many senior officials to task during a recent meeting through video conferencing.

“It is a way to set the system right... non-performing officials must leave... the government knows who is competent and who is not,” a senior minister said here on Friday.

No legal hurdle

Officials said there was no legal hurdle in the forced retirement of such employees. Their retirement process could be initiated after giving three months’ notice.

According to sources, the work of around one lakh government employees is likely to be reviewed over the next few days.

Adityanath has shunted out around 1,000 civil and police officers since assuming charge of the state in March. Though the transfers were intended to remove the officials loyal to the previous Samajwadi Party regime and post “competent” officials in their place, there has been no significant improvement in the quality of work.