SHIMLA: In a move, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced release of a 4% DA, the release of pending arrears and medical bills, and an early payout of salaries and pensions on October 28 as part of Diwali festivities.
This announcement comes just days before the state employees' general meeting set for October 15, where they were expected to voice their concerns over delayed salaries and pensions, DAs etc.
The government had faced criticism from various employee groups over the past months due to these delays.
CM Sukhu, also serving as the state’s finance minister, defended his government’s fiscal policies. Referring to his earlier statement in the Vidhan Sabha, he admitted to the challenges of managing salaries, pensions, and government expenditures but highlighted efforts to bring in financial discipline.
"We’ve been taking tough decisions to improve the state's financial health, but at no point has the common man been impacted.
Delaying salaries by two to four days was part of prudent fiscal management. My cabinet and I even symbolically deferred our salaries for two months to prioritize essential services like education,” Sukhu stated.
The Chief Minister also announced that the pending medical bills of government employees, which had accumulated over the past few years, would be cleared immediately.
"Our employees have been waiting for years for their medical claims to be processed. I assure them today that all their pending dues will be settled," he added.
Highlighting the fiscal responsibility of his government, Sukhu criticized the previous administration for poor financial management.
"When we took charge in December 2022, the state’s finances were in a dire state. We’ve worked hard to turn things around, and our revenue has increased significantly," he said.
He also touched upon the criticism he faced for suggesting a delay in payments as part of the state's fiscal management. "Some people tried to spread misinformation, suggesting that we were unable to pay salaries".
That’s far from the truth. Our finances are in good shape, and we remain committed to making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027 and a financially strong state by 2032,” he remarked.
In a Diwali gesture to the state’s employees and pensioners, CM Sukhu announced that the usual November salary payments would be advanced, with employees receiving their payments on October 28.
"Since Diwali is a major festival, we want to ensure that all employees and pensioners have their money in hand to celebrate," he said.
The Chief Minister concluded his address by reaffirming his government's commitment to reforms that would benefit the state's workforce, farmers, and horticulturists, without burdening the common man. "We’re here to change the system, not just enjoy the pleasures of power," he stated.
This announcement has been seen as a tactical move by the government to preempt potential unrest among the state employees and avoid a confrontation in the upcoming meeting.
The total cost of these benefits, including the bonus and arrears, is expected to run into hundreds of crores, but CM Sukhu assured the public that the state's financial situation is stable enough to handle it.
In his signature style, CM Sukhu used the platform to take a swipe at the previous BJP government, accusing them of mismanaging the state's resources and distributing “freebies” before elections, putting a burden on future generations.
He reiterated that his government is focused on long-term benefits rather than short-term populism.
