Retirement Act—needed a broader perspective

•-The Nagaland Retirement from Public Service (2nd Amendment) Act 2009 has generated widespread debate among various sections of the society and it appears that there is no clear consensus in support of this Act. While we wait with bated breathe for the final verdict from the Supreme Court, let’s try to examine this Act from a broader perspective.
Firstly, right from the time a person joins Government Service, he/she starts planning about the future concerning career progression, financial security, material well-being and welfare of his/her family. In due course of his/her career, with the mounting responsibility of providing for the needs of the family (Eg: children’s education, buying land, building residential house, marriage of children etc), many resort to availing various loans confident of repaying the loans during their service period. Now, with the sudden retirement many senior employees will be left in dire straits with outstanding dues which will be deducted from the meager pension that they will be getting and that too after the usual long and tedious office procedural delays. Has the Government given a thought to this aspect?
Secondly, the Government has justified this Act by citing the reason of providing Employment avenues to the Youth. In the first place, if unemployment is a major problem in Nagaland, why did the Government hastily enhanced the age of retirement from 57 years to 60 years in 2007. Also according to various sources, in many Departments, the Politicians have started taking active interest in finding out and preparing the list of vacancies to be made available if this Act is implemented. We all know the reason why.
Thirdly, Can Government sector alone alleviate the problem of Unemployment in Nagaland? If unemployment is a big concern for the Government then how about venturing into other avenues for income generation? Many big Companies refuse to invest in our State due to exorbitant taxes or rather extortion imposed by different groups. Is the Government doing enough to tackle this menace?
Fourthly, we have all been following the turn of events especially through the local dailies. As an observer, it has caught my attention that the Government has been prompt in dispensing the “news” when the events unfold in its favour. However, when things don’t go its way, it appears that the Government resorts to ‘dilly dallying’ as was seen in the denial of the Supreme Court’s directive issued on 3rd Nov 09. Is the Government really playing fair?
Lastly, all Government employees are there to serve the Government and the people. The welfare of its employees should be a concern of the Government. The government should ensure the well being of its employees whether it be the whole lot or just a section of its employees. When the Superannuation Age of 57 years was suddenly enhanced to 60 years in 2007, the junior and mid level employees were dealt the hand of stagnancy in their career progression. Now, with the passing of the Retirement Act, the senior Government Employees are faced with the prospect of abrupt end of their careers and plans. In both these instances, the Government has been hasty in framing this policy matters which have wide ramifications, both immediate and long term. Is the Government really comfortable and wise in meting out such treatment of harassment, rejection, mental turmoil and tension to its employees?

Rosemary M.
House no. 67(B) Opp. S. V Road, Santacruz (W), Mumbai-53