ANANTAPUR: The state government’s decision to extend services for employees aged 60 to 62 appears to be receiving mixed responses.
The uniformed services, mostly in the police department down to the inspector level, are concerned about continued physical and mental fitness after the state raised the retirement age to 62. Those who manage these sections speak of prolonged tension and work pressures among the police.
The job of agents has always been one of the most challenging and stressful. Police officers, police chiefs, assistant sub-inspectors, SIs and inspectors have to deal with angry crowds, counter-insurgency operations, traffic control, security for VIP visits, political rallies and religious events, in addition to carrying out regular duties of public order.
A study revealed that most police officers often face dangerous situations that result in physical or mental trauma. Even deaths in the line of duty were reported during the last two waves of Covid. Many of them infected with Covid survived with a lot of struggle.
At least 5,000 inspectors, police chiefs and officers suffered serious health risks during the two phases of Covid in the state. Some of them died due to multiple organ failures.
An inspector from the Rayalaseema region said the increase of two more years of service would increase his burden due to health problems. “It is very difficult to maintain physical and mental fitness until the age of 62, as many of us are diabetic and hypertensive,” he said.
Another police chief said many of his colleagues and seniors were dealing with knee and heart-related health problems, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure.
A senior education department official took VRS a year and a half before his retirement age a year ago. While several officers in other departments were taking VRS prior to completing service, police, fire and forest services, and other uniformed services face more physical fitness issues at the end of their service.
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