Earlier, the Arunachal government toeing PM Modi’s line had raised the retirement age of doctors to 62 years from the existing 58 years which is expected to make a significant difference in the health delivery scenario which is terribly short of required numbers of doctors. The decision also assumes huge significance given the fact that the state government is on a war footing to make the first medical college functional by 2018. Along with huge need of doctors to cater to patients, the start of the college will also need a huge pool of experienced doctors to teach.

But the state government rethinking to do the same for all government employees had understandably evoked opposition from sections especially the apex students’ body.

The increase in retirement age has led to murmurs—the most common being aspirants worried of reduction in job offerings and also promotion delays.

Though, Arunachal doesn’t have to worry in his context given the severe manpower crunch especially in health and education sector, but the enhancement of retirement age does bring to the fore some relevant questions.

The age of retirement can be increased and that is not disputable but one age limit can’t be imposed on all sorts of jobs. Work that involves mental labour can cover the above age criterion but for manual jobs the age needs to be different. Merely increasing the retirement age will not serve the purpose as the employees should also be competent enough to hold the position. It is also a factual concern that increasing the retirement age will cut down the future prospect of young people who want to join various professions. If available vacancies were high then employment seekers do not have anything to worry about but the case of Arunachal is unique, which we must keep in mind. Job creation remains a huge challenge even to this day.

Therefore it of paramount importance for the government to do a balancing act— while taking advantage of the experience and wisdom of the ageing workforce it also must tactfully address the concerns of the educated unemployed brigade.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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