Even as educated youth are grappling with an increasingly competitive job market, the government’s practice of re-employing retired officials raises pressing concerns in Gujarat.

Reports suggest that not only are these retirees being favoured for new positions, but instances of rewarding corrupt officials have also come to light.

In the past two years, the state government has re-employed 568 retired officials and employees.

As many as 31 IAS, 13 non-IAS cadres, 25 additional secretaries, deputy secretaries, senior clerks, deputy executive engineers, deputy section officers, and assistant officers have been hired after their retirement.

While the government mandates forced  retirement of officials in the name of fighting corruption, at the same time, it has been re-employing many of these same individuals.

The state government has forced around 10 officials into retirement, giving an impression of strictness.

Whispers in the Secretariat, in favour of the move, indicate that retired officials and contractual employees bring valuable experience and knowledge of the procedures, benefiting the government with efficiency.

The government also argues that these retired officials and employees are being re-appointed on a contract basis due to administrative necessity.

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