Question : RETIREMENT AGE OF SCIENTISTS

(a) whether the Government has recently proposed to enhance the retirement age of the scientists and teachers working in various research institutions particularly the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State and Central Agricultural Universities from sixty to sixty two years;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the date from which it is likely to come into effect;

(d) whether the Government propose to maintain the status after reviewing the said decision which may result in increasing unemployment; and

(e) if so, by when and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The Govt. has enhanced the age of superannuation of Scientists of ICAR and teachers of State Agricultural Universities and Central Agricultural University from 60 to 62 years.

(c) Necessary instructions have been issued on 31st October, 2003 and made effective from 13th October, 2003.

(d) & (e): There is no proposal before the Government to review this decision because the scientists of ICAR and teachers of Central Agricultural Universities and State Agricultural Universities are governed by the UGC package of pay scales. The Government of India had earlier enhanced the age of superannuation of the teachers of Universities and colleges under the UGC from 60 to 62 years. The age of superannuation of the scientists of ICAR and teachers of Central Agricultural Universities/State Agricultural Universities has been enhanced on the same analogy.