Thiruvananthapuram: Amid speculations and reports on the government's plan to raise the retirement age of government employees, Kerala finance minister KN Balagopal declared that the government didn't discuss the matter yet.

He was responding to a query over the matter at a time when the budget of the state is around the corner. 

There are many considerations before the government to reduce expenses during the financial crisis. But a deliberation or discussion over raising the retirement age has not happened yet, said the minister. However, he pointed out that there are many reports before the state government with respect to raising the budget. 

Balagopal said that the procedures for a redeployment of government employees will progress in phases. Similarly, the procedures to clamp down ineligible individuals availing welfare pensions will continue, he said.  

Many other states have adopted the union government's recommendations including the appointment of staff on a contract basis to reduce the burden on the exchequer. However, the Kerala government has not implemented such suggestions. 

It is learnt that the exchequer is in such a condition that state can only go ahead by balancing revenue and expenses equally. It is also important to note that the union government now is only sharing the 50 per cent of tax that is supposed to be shared with the states. States including Kerala has batted for increasing this share to 60 per cent.