List all post-retirement extensions from Dec 2017, HC tells Himachal; gives chief secretary 6 weeks to reply

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh high court has directed chief secretary Sanjay Gupta to file a detailed affidavit listing all service extensions granted to retired govt employees and officers from Dec 19, 2017, till date within six weeks despite a 2017 court order against the practice.The directions by a bench, headed by Justice Virender Singh, came on a contempt petition alleging wilful disobedience of a division bench's Dec 19, 2017, ruling passed on a suo motu public interest litigation. The high court had then directed the state govt not to grant service extensions or re-employment to employees beyond the age of superannuation or retirement, except in accordance with Chapter 22 of the Handbook on Personnel Matters (Vol-II, 2nd Edition) and Fundamental Rule 56(d). The court had emphasised strict adherence to the prescribed criteria and rules. The contempt petition contends that the state violated these directions and took decisions in disregard of the court's instructions. The court underlined that the division bench had made it clear that extensions beyond the age of retirement or superannuation must be in "very rare" and "exceptional" circumstances. MSID:: 128778753 413 |