Centre links Pay Commission arrears of college teachers to hike in superannuation age

The union cabinet today approved a proposal that makes relaxation in the superannuation age of college teachers to 65 a condition for central assistance of 80 per cent for implementing the revised pay scales on the basis of the 6th Pay Commission's recommendations.

The centre would bear 80 per cent of the cost of arrears payment, for implementing the recommendations of the 6th pay Commission, on the condition that the age of superannuation of teachers be raised to 65 in state institutions, an official release said today,

The reimbursement of 80 per cent of the central share of the arrears will be made in 2-3 installments to those states that have already made the payment and submitted their proposals for reimbursements to the central government, the release said.

The cabinet decision is expected to provide relief to teachers in state institutions with the payment of arrears. It will also benefit state governments by enabling them to make payment of arrears in installments and also claim reimbursements simultaneously.

Following the revision of pay scales of central government employees on the recommendation of the 6th Pay Commission, the pay scales of teachers and other equivalent cadres was revised and age of superannuation was enhanced to 65 in December 2008. The scheme of revised pay scales was essentially for teachers in central educational institutions.

However, provisions of the scheme could be made applicable by state governments, to universities and colleges coming under the purview of the state governments, provided the state governments adopt and implement the scheme as a composite scheme, including the enhanced age of superannuation.