The Cabinet has decided to clear the proposal of giving the freedom of fixing the retirement age of the teachers in higher education institutes to the governments on Thursday.

Along with this decision, there was also the release of arrears that were earlier due to the teachers and lecturers of the colleges and universities which are presently funded by the state-governments after the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission.

This clearance would come as a great relief for all the lecturers of the country, benefiting over 4 lakh of them. Previously, the Centre had insisted the states to set the retirement age at 65% so that they could get 80% of the debts burden of the state governments. These debts have valued at Rs 9000 crore after the Sixth Pay Commission had been enforced according to which the institutes were funded centrally.

Now, the Centre would pay the debts to states only as reimbursements in two or three installments.

AW- Anil