New Delhi: In a significant bureaucratic development, the forced retirement orders of two senior officials of NITI Aayog have been revoked nearly eleven months after they were prematurely retired under Fundamental Rule 56(J).
According to reports, Vandana Sharma and Harendra Kumar have officially resumed office following a high-level review committee’s decision to overturn their retirement orders.
The move marks a major administrative reversal in a case that had drawn attention within bureaucratic circles due to the rare invocation of compulsory retirement provisions against senior policy officials.
Third Official Still Awaiting Outcome of CAT Proceedings
A third official affected by the same action, Vishwanath Bisoi, is yet to return to service.
Unlike the other two officers, Bisoi reportedly challenged the retirement order before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). As a result, his reinstatement now depends on the outcome of ongoing judicial proceedings.
Sources indicate that Bisoi remains in a wait-and-watch position pending the tribunal’s final decision.
Officials Were Retired Under FR 56(J)
The three officials had been prematurely retired during the tenure of B. V. R. Subrahmanyam as Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog.
The action was taken under Fundamental Rule 56(J), a provision that allows the government to compulsorily retire public servants in the “public interest” after reviewing their performance, efficiency and integrity.
FR 56(J) has historically been used selectively by governments to remove officials considered ineffective or unsuitable for continued service.
Review Committee Overturns Earlier Decision
The latest development indicates that a review mechanism revisited the earlier retirement decisions and found grounds to revoke the orders in the cases of Sharma and Kumar.
The reversal is expected to trigger discussions within administrative circles regarding the application and review process of compulsory retirement provisions in government service.
No official public statement has yet been issued by NITI Aayog regarding the reinstatement orders.
