Context: Recently, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued a notification on review, consolidation and reiteration of the guidelines on premature retirement of government servants.
Key Points

• As per the guidelines the appropriate authority can retire an official by giving a notice of not less than three months in writing or three months’ pay and allowances in lieu of such notice.
• The rule will apply to officials who are in Group ‘A’ or Group ‘B’ service. The authority can also retire a government servant in the Group ‘C’ service or post.
• There are minimum age and service requirements set for the application of the premature retirement provisions. 

However non-adherence to the timelines, due to certain administrative exigencies will not take away the powers of the authority to prematurely retire an official.

• At any time after a government servant has completed 30 years’ qualifying service, the official being prematurely retired will be entitled to pension.
• There would be a quarterly performance review of the government servants who are due to attain the age of 50/55 years, or to complete 30 years of service. This would be carried out by a senior officer in the ministry, department or cadre.
• An administrative structure for this purpose has been recommended in the form of Review Committee and Representation Committee at the respective ministries.
• The broad criteria to be followed by the Review Committee while making the recommendations for premature retirement includes the issues of doubtful integrity, ineffectiveness and fitness/competence to continue in the post held.

Significance

• Given the proposed grounds for recommendation for premature retirement, this provision will help strengthen the administrative machinery by developing responsible and efficient administration at all levels.
• It can lead to higher efficiency, economy and speed in the disposal of government functions and thus aid in public service.