Premature retirement is not a penalty-DoPT

DoPT has clarified that premature retirement of Government servants under  rules is not a penalty. It is distinct from 'Compulsory Retirement', which is one of prescribed penalties under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965. But The Appropriate Authority has the absolute right to retire a Government servant under FR 56(j), FR 56(l) or Rule 48 (1) (b) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 as the case may be, if it is necessary to do so in public interest. The objective of Fundamental Rule (FR) 560)1(l) and Rule 48 of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972, is to strengthen the administrative machinery by developing responsible and efficient administration at all levels and to achieve efficiency, economy and speed in the disposal of Government functions.