As per new rules, request for voluntary retirement will not be pending beyond the notice period
The government has made major changes in the service rules for bureaucrats seeking voluntary retirement. As per new rules formed by the Ministry of Personnel, the request for voluntary retirement by officers will not be kept pending beyond the notice period mentioned by them.
The new rules effected, are applicable on three all-India services- Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS).
As per the new rules, if the competent authorities don't issue any order for the bureaucrat's retirement before the expiry of the notice period specified by a service member, the voluntary retirement shall become effective from the date of expiry of the said period.
Existing rules allow a service member to retire before attaining 60 years age of superannuation, after giving three months' notice in writing to the state government concerned, after he or she completes 20 years of qualifying service.
The move assumes significance as there were complaints of alleged harassment by few bureaucrats who claimed that their requests were kept pending for a long time.
The new rules also allow bureaucrats to take back their voluntary retirement request. The request for withdrawal of notice of voluntary retirement shall be submitted to the competent authority within the period mentioned in the notice. Earlier an IAS, IPS or IFoS officer was allowed to withdraw notice of voluntary retirement only "after it is accepted by the state government".