Supreme Court Overturns Bengal's Teacher Retirement Age Limit
The Supreme Court invalidated a Calcutta High Court decision that supported West Bengal's restriction on extending teacher retirement age based on regional teaching experience. The court deemed the policy discriminatory, allowing a teacher with extensive service outside Bengal to benefit from the retirement age extension from 60 to 65 years.
- Country:
- India
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court overturned a Calcutta High Court decision, criticizing West Bengal's stance that limited a teacher's retirement age based on regional teaching experience. The apex court found this policy lacking rationale and discriminatory, highlighting the broader implications for similar decisions across the states.
The bench, comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra, underscored the significance of unbiased administrative decisions. It noted that the exclusion of teachers who garnered experience outside the state from retirement benefits lacked clarity and fairness, emphasizing the need to uphold fraternity and unity.
The court's decision favored an appellant teacher who served both in Assam and West Bengal, granting him an extension under a 2021 memorandum. This ruling reaffirms the principle of equality in public administration, challenging parochial executive decisions with nationwide impact.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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