Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved two major decisions aimed at addressing long-pending demands of government-linked employees, restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for around 11,000 employees and increasing the retirement age of staff working in public sector undertakings and welfare institutions from 60 to 62 years.

The Cabinet decided to extend OPS benefits to employees recruited through notifications issued before September 2004. These employees had been covered under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), and will now be eligible for the earlier pension framework, a move expected to strengthen post-retirement financial security.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the NDA government was committed to safeguarding the interests of employees, and initiated several measures for their welfare.

In a separate decision, the Cabinet approved retirement age parity for employees and teachers working in State public sector undertakings, Gurukul institutions and welfare societies. The revised retirement age of 62 years will apply to staff associated with SC, ST, BC and Minority Welfare Societies, along with employees of residential educational institutions run by the State.

The decision has been given retrospective effect from January 1, 2022, allowing thousands of employees to benefit from the revised policy. Officials estimate that more than 15,000 employees working across corporations, welfare societies and Gurukul institutions will be covered under the new retirement age framework.

Sources said proposals to increase the retirement age had not received approval under the previous administration. After receiving clearance from the Chief Minister earlier this month, the proposal was formally endorsed by the Cabinet on Tuesday.

The government has also decided to explore the re-engagement of employees who have already retired from these institutions, depending on administrative requirements and workforce needs.

The Andhra Pradesh Secretariat Employees Association welcomed the decisions and thanked the Chief Minister for resolving issues that had remained pending for several years.

BI Bureau