Shimla: Himachal Pradesh, struggling with a financial crunch, has suffered major setback—this time, courtesy of its own bureaucratic lethargy.
The state has lost a whopping ₹300 crore grant from the University Grants Commission (UGC) due to the sheer incompetence of its bureaucratic machinery, which failed to implement the 7th UGC Pay Commission scales within the stipulated time.
The UGC had mandated the implementation of the 7th pay commission by March 31, 2019, offering to reimburse states 50% of the financial burden for 39 months.
But thanks to a lackadaisical bureaucracy misleading the then government, the notification for revised pay scales in Himachal was issued only in August 2022—over three years too late.
As a result, the state missed out on a financial package exceeding ₹300 crore.
Who’s Responsible?
Educationists and government employees are now demanding accountability.
Dr Ram Lal Sharma, former president of the Himachal Government College Principals’ Welfare Association, minced no words in calling out the bureaucracy’s failure.
"The bureaucrats befooled the then government, causing the state to lose ₹300 crore. Their responsibility must be fixed," he said.
The contrast is glaring. Under the 6th UGC Pay Commission, Himachal had efficiently implemented the pay scales within the deadline, securing nearly ₹400 crore in central assistance, which at the time covered 50% of the liability for 60 months.
Systematic Losses Due to Bureaucratic Negligence
This is not a one-off incident. Several centrally sponsored schemes require the state to contribute a matching grant to avail full benefits.
But the same bureaucratic lethargy often results in the loss of funds meant for critical development projects.
“The bureaucracy swiftly implements pay hikes and perks for itself the moment the Centre announces them.
But when it comes to benefits for others, they create unnecessary hurdles and delays,” said Sharma.
Will the Government Act?
The question now is—will the government hold the bureaucracy accountable for this massive financial loss, or will this too be swept under the rug?
In another words, how long our politicians in power continue to be misled or befooled by the non- committal Babudom?
Himachal Pradesh, already in severe financial distress, cannot afford to keep losing funds due to bureaucratic inefficiency.
It’s time for the government to step up, investigate, and ensure that such blunders do not continue to bleed the state dry.
