7th CPC – Several Departments Face Surge in Retirements in 10 yrs…
The age profile of government servants analysed by the Seventh Pay Commission shows that several government departments will face a surge in the number of employees retiring in ten years. The panel reviewed data for all ministries departments of employees in the 50-60 years age bracket.
Of 33.02 lakh employees -as on January 1, 2014 -9.48 lakh, (about 29% of personnel) were between 50 and 60. This is contrary to the perception that the government is bloated and there’s need to do away with departments that have outlived their utility. The government, officials said, must take note of this and do succession planning for smooth functioning of these departments.
The data shows an unusually large percentage of personnel in the 50-60 years age group in certain ministries/departments.
In the textile ministry it is as high as 75%, 64% in coal, 62% in urban development, 60% in petroleum and natural gas, 57% in science and technology, 56% in heavy industry, 52% in new and renewable energy, 51% in AYUSH and 50% in power.
“This is a ready pointer to the number of retirements that would take place in the next 10 years,” the Seventh Pay Commission report said. Officials said either departments that face high retirements should be merged or an action plan be put in place to ensure smooth transition.
“The commission notes that losing experienced, high-level personnel entails unquantifiable costs as new recruits will require training and on the job skills.
“At the same time it presents ministries/departments the opportunity to align their personnel requirement with their current and future challenges,” the report said.
Personnel in the 20-30 years and 30-40 years brackets are substantial among personnel in the home ministry. Larger departments such as the railways, posts and Indian audit & accounts department have larger percentages in the 20-30 years group compared to other ministries.
The commission noted a discernible pattern in comparatively smaller departments. A review of all ministries departments with persons in positions (PIP) less than 500 was undertaken.
The findings pointed to the fact that in most of these ministries departments the percentage of personnel between 20 and 30 was significantly lower than in the larger departments.
