The Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC) has directed all divisional heads to strictly follow the Department of Personnel and Training’s (DoPT) guidelines for periodic reviews of government employees. This initiative aims to assess the suitability of employees and may lead to premature retirement for those found ineffective or with questionable integrity. The reviews are essential for improving the efficiency and integrity of public service.
Guided by rules from the DoPT, the reviews can result in the premature retirement of employees in the public interest, particularly under the Compulsory Retirement Scheme (CRS). Employees can be retired after reaching 50 or 55 years of age or completing 30 years of service, with a three-month notice period or equivalent compensation.A review committee evaluates cases based on various parameters, mainly focusing on integrity and effectiveness. Notably, the government considers premature retirement a necessary measure, not a penalty.
The CBIC’s directive follows a recent meeting where concerns were raised about Ministries not adhering to these guidelines. The DoPT has also instructed Ministries to ensure that Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Banks, and other bodies under their control conduct similar reviews, with monthly reports required from July onwards.
