Shimla, September 28, 2026: Class-IV employees in the Himachal Pradesh Education Department who were retired at the age of 58 have received interim relief from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which has directed that those below 60 be taken back into service, subject to certain conditions.
The Rajkiya TGT Kala Sangh welcomed the interim order passed by the High Court in the case of Thakur Dass versus the State Government.
According to the association’s state general secretary Vijay Heer, the High Court had earlier, in the Satya Devi versus Himachal Pradesh Government case, ruled in favour of increasing the retirement age of Class-IV employees in the Education Department from 58 to 60 years. However, the state government subsequently obtained a stay from the Supreme Court, following which the interim relief was withdrawn and several employees were retired before completing 60 years of age.
Heer said the High Court has now granted interim relief in the Thakur Dass case, directing that Class-IV employees, including peons, who were retired at 58 and are still below 60 years of age be taken back into service.
The reinstatement will be on the same post and at the same workplace, subject to the condition that employees return the retirement benefits received from the department within two weeks.
The association said it hoped the state government would implement the spirit of the court’s order and provide relief to eligible employees at the earliest.
Heer also pointed out that mid-day meal workers currently have a retirement age of 60 years, while the state government had mentioned increasing the retirement age of Class-IV employees to 60 in its election manifesto.
The interim relief has brought some relief to Class-IV employees who were affected by retirement at the age of 58, though the final position will depend on further proceedings in the case.
