New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed Union secretaries to conduct rigorous performance assessment of government employees and retire those who are underperforming or corrupt.
At a meeting of Central ministers and secretaries, Modi emphasised the government’s right to retire underperforming staff in public interest under the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(j) of the CCS (Pension) Rules.
In his address, the PM stressed that employees must focus on performance, resolving public grievances and ensuring ease of living.
According to government sources, Modi said though departments are taking action against deadwood, more needs to be done.
The rules allow “appropriate authority” to retire any government employee deemed unfit for service. The government must provide either three months’ notice or three months’ salary in the case of compulsory retirement.
The rule applies to employees over 55 years of age or those with over 30 years of qualifying service. Affected employees can challenge such retirements in court.
PM Modi also pointed out the shortcomings in the current employee evaluation system, which relies on benchmarks rather than a ranking system. Most employees receive above-benchmark ratings from their seniors, allowing them to pass promotion criteria without reflecting actual performance.
Citing government sources, The Times of India reported that over 500 officers have been compulsorily retired under these provisions so far.