AP power staff want immediate implementation of G.O. on retirement age

The state’s power sector employees have asked the Andhra Pradesh government and managements of AP power utilities to immediately implement GO 45, which increases the retirement age of employees in Schedule-IX and Schedule-X utilities from 60 to 62 years.

Workers stated that the delay in this regard left thousands of workers in uncertainty.

AP Energy Employees Forum president G. Ramakrishnudu, general secretary S. Koteswara Rao, vice-president S. Srinivasa Rao and secretary M. Srinivasa Rao reminded that although the retirement age of state government employees has been increased to 62 years in 2022, the benefit has not been extended to employees of Schedule-IX and Schedule-X institutions.

However, after reviewing the representation of electrical workers unions, the current government accepted the recommendations of the Group of Ministers and issued GO 45, which extends the enhanced retirement age to all eligible employees.

Welcoming the decision, the leaders thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the state cabinet and senior officials for resolving the long-pending issue. However, officials expressed concern that the implementation of increasing the retirement age in energy services was postponed in the name of internal committee reviews, even though the government had examined all relevant issues before issuing the order.

Thousands of utility personnel, especially those approaching retirement, have been waiting more than four and a half years, with some even suspending retirement-related benefit procedures due to uncertainty, leaders said. They appealed to the managements of all power utilities to implement the GO without further delay, saying it would provide relief to employees and strengthen their trust in the government.