CM Bows to Pressure, Withdraws Pay Notification After Employees’ Protest
SHIMLA, Sept 8: Bowing to the high-voltage protest rally by the Himachal Pradesh Employees Association at Peterhof on Monday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the withdrawal of the controversial pay notification issued last week by Finance Secretary Devesh Kumar.
Thousands of employees thronged the capital, raising slogans against the government’s move that rolled back the 2022 notification ensuring higher grade pay.
The protesters demanded an immediate rollback, warning that the arbitrary cut had left employees staring at huge losses in their monthly salaries.
Addressing the agitated crowd, Sukhu assured that the notification would be withdrawn and all pending issues of employees would be resolved.
Though he did not give a clear timeframe, he promised to take up the matter on priority. “I am leaving for Dharamshala for a meeting, but rest assured, the employees’ concerns will be addressed,” he told the gathering.
Employee leaders, many of them associated with the Congress’ own trade union wing, were seen rallying around the Chief Minister, pressing him to act swiftly. Following Sukhu’s assurance, the protest site turned jubilant, with employees hailing the decision.
The rollback comes as a major relief to government staff, who had claimed that the pay cut would have reduced monthly salaries by ₹15,000–₹20,000 for many, pushing households into financial distress.
“We thank the Chief Minister for understanding our pain. Families were anxious, unable to manage expenses if salaries were slashed.
This announcement has restored our faith,” said association leaders after the meeting.
The Chief Minister’s intervention has temporarily calmed tempers, but employees have warned they will not end their agitation until the official withdrawal order is issued.
