New Delhi: In a decision that will
bring cheer to research scientists in state universities, the
Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has directed the UGC to
fix their retirement age at 65 years - on par with their
counterparts in Central universities.
Presently, there is lot of disillusionment and
heartburn among the scientists in State universities as the
superannuation age is fixed differently between 58 and 60
years, unlike for those in Central varsities who retire at 65.
"The policy decision of the University Grants
Commission where applicants` request for treating their age of
retirement at par with central universities being turned down
cannot be countenanced in law," the Tribunal bench, comprising
Members Veena Chhotray and Shanker Raju, said in a judgement.
The Tribunal rapped the UGC for its discriminatory
policy which, according to it, was violative of Article 14
(equality provision) of the Constitution.
"A hostile discrimination only on the ground of being
placed at a particular university has also no reasonable nexus
with the object sought to be achieved," it said.
The Tribunal passed the order on a bunch of petitions
of UGC research scientists and two other applicants seeking
parity in the age of retirement with their counterparts in
Central universities.
PTI
