"Retirement from government service doesn't mean you are retired as a citizen": Union Minister Jitendra Singh

Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 10 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that retirement from government service should not be seen as an end but a transition into a new role as contributors and partners to nation-building.
"Retirement from government service doesn't mean you are retired as a citizen", said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in a message that resonated deeply with the hundreds of officers nearing retirement.
"The Minister said that retirement from government service should not be seen as an end, but a transition into a new role as contributors and partners to nation building," as per a Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions release.
Addressing the 56th Pre-Retirement Counselling (PRC) Workshop and the 9th Bankers' Awareness Program in Guwahati on Thursday, Singh called for a paradigm shift in the way Indian society perceives retired government servants.
"Organised by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) in collaboration with the Assam Government, the day-long event at the Assam Administrative Staff College featured back-to-back technical sessions on pension reforms, digital life certification, CGHS facilities, financial planning, and innovations like the Bhavishya Portal and Integrated Pensioners' Portal," the release read.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Minister of State for PMO said that many officers at 60 are at the prime of their energy and expertise. "So we wish to involve them in the task of nation building and use their experiences. As the Prime Minister says, every citizen has to contribute to the making of Viksit Bharat."
These sessions were designed to prepare retiring employees for a smooth transition, both in terms of procedural knowledge and personal empowerment.
"The workshop aimed to prepare civil servants for a smooth post-retirement transition, not just in terms of paperwork but also in purpose," the release read.
Singh emphasized the need for institutional mechanisms that can integrate retirees into developmental roles based on their skills and inclinations.
Outlining several reforms undertaken by the Government over the past decade to simplify pension procedures, Jitendra Singh recalled how superannuating officers earlier had to run from one office to another, often losing months before receiving their first pension payment.
"That era is over. Today, with digital PPOs, integrated pension portals like Bhavishya, and face authentication tools, we've eliminated procedural delays and harassment," he said.
He lauded the role of the Department of Pensions under Secretary V. Srinivas, noting how Indian digital pension practices are now being emulated by countries like Maldives, Mongolia, and Bangladesh.
The success of initiatives such as Digital Life Certificate (DLC), CPGRAMS, and face authentication, he said, are examples of how technology can bring dignity and efficiency to governance.
Going beyond procedural ease, Singh proposed the creation of a national directory of retired officers, based on their expertise and interests.
"We will prepare a performa to capture details like qualification, experience, and preferred areas of work, so that ministries can consult it and engage retirees in policy committees or advisory roles," he explained.
"The Minister also drew attention to evolving societal needs and reforms in pension rules--such as the inclusion of divorced daughters, faster processing for widows, and compassionate consideration for families of missing employees--that reflect a progressive and humane approach," the release read.
Jitendra Singh proposed developing a national database of retired officers with their skillsets, experience, and interests, enabling government departments to draw on their expertise post-retirement.
"Many citizens have taken up start-ups or pursued creative passions after retirement. The first successful millet-based start-up came from a scientist who retired from a government institute. You can begin anew at any age," he said.
In a lighter moment, Singh noted how the retirement phase has even helped uncover hidden talents. "There are those who never got to pursue music or writing or any other pursuit in their service years. Retirement gives you the freedom. We can even help with an audition at All India Radio if you say you want to sing," he quipped, drawing laughter and applause.
Ending on an empowering note, the Minister urged retiring officers not to see themselves as passive recipients of pension but as active nation-builders. "You are retiring as government officials, not as citizens. Your best may be yet to come," he said.
"The daylong event saw the address of V Srinivas, Secretary, DoPPW, Dhrubajyoti Sengupta, Joint Secretary and remarks from key stakeholders, including SBI's Deputy MD Shamsher Singh, Additional Secretary from the Health Ministry Roli Singh, IG BSF Sanjay Gaur, and General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway Chetan Shrivastava," the release read.
With India envisioning itself as a developed nation by 2047, Jitendra Singh's remarks offered a timely reminder that wisdom, dedication, and public service do not retire--they evolve, the release added. (ANI)