``We will meet Chief Minister Manohar Joshi immediately after the winter session of the State legislature, to press our demand,'' a senior BJP Minister told The Indian Express.

The Shiv Sena-BJP Government decided to enhance the retirement age from 58 to 60 years on May 30, soon after the Union Government took the decision. The immediate beneficiaries were Chief Secretary P Subramanian, Director General of Police Arvind Inamdar, Commissioner of Police R H Mendonca and Irrigation Secretary R G Kulkarni.

The BJP Minister said the alliance government enhanced the retirement age in view of the State's deteriorating financial situation.

``With the retirement age having been enhanced, the government will not be required to pay towards provident fund andgratuity to retiring employees. Retirement benefits to employees amount to nearly Rs 100 crore per year,'' the Minister said.

The BJP now feels the decision should be revoked in the State's interest. ``True, we will not be required to pay towards retirement benefits for two years, but at the same, regular work has been adversely affected as the performance of a majority of employees in the 58 and 60 years age group is not satisfactory,'' the Minister said.

The Minister said though the poor performance of officials in Mantralaya is not visible, that of field staff has immediate repercussions. ``We are experiencing the worst situation in the districts. In fact, most employees were not in favour of an increase in retirement age as they were keen to secure their retirement dues, but the decision was imposed on them for the benefit of some officials,'' the Minister added.

The Minister added the decision has adversely affected fresh employment opportunities. ``On the one hand, we are planning to create newopportunities, while on the other, with such decisions, there will be no vacancies in the government for the next two years,'' he said.

As per government records, of the 19 lakh employees of the State Government, zilla parishads, Muncipal councils, municipal corporations, state-run enterprises and aided institutions, 10 per cent retire every year. However, vacancies are not filled.

The official said by a special order dated June 2, the alliance government banned recruitment in all government departments. However, the Cabinet revoked the decision in public interest on December 8, although no official order has been promulgated to give effect to the Cabinet decision.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray has taken objection to the government's decision to enhance retirement age. In keeping with Thackeray's electoral commitment to provide jobs to 27 lakh youths in a time-bound period, the alliance government has created a separate department of employment to draft a new action plan for the creation ofjobs.

Despite the government's decision, the Maharashtra State Electricity Board and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, two of the largest employers in the State, have refused to increase the retirement age.