The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to provide a monthly grant of Rs 23 crore to the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) to ensure that pensioners receive their pensions between the 7th and 10th of every month. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced this decision during a meeting with a delegation of the HRTC Pensioners Joint Action Committee in Shimla on Sunday.
Government Commitment to Employees and Pensioners
The Chief Minister stated that the state government is committed to safeguarding the interests of employees and pensioners. He also announced the release of Rs 20 crore to HRTC towards medical reimbursement claims to facilitate the settlement of pending liabilities. Members of the pensioners' committee welcomed the move and expressed gratitude to the government, noting that timely disbursement of pensions would provide significant relief to retired employees.
Acknowledging Contributions
Sukhu acknowledged the contribution of HRTC employees and pensioners in strengthening the corporation and supporting the state's development. He directed the HRTC management to expedite the process of extending pension benefits to employees who retired after October 2025 but are yet to start receiving their pensions. Emphasizing that pension is a rightful entitlement of retired employees, he instructed the management to take immediate steps to address the issue.
Reforms and Financial Challenges
The Chief Minister said the government is undertaking reforms within HRTC to eliminate delays in salary and pension payments. He noted that the corporation receives around Rs 1,500 crore annually, including nearly Rs 800 crore from its own revenue and about Rs 720 crore as grant-in-aid from the state government. Despite this substantial financial support, HRTC continues to incur losses. Sukhu attributed the financial strain largely to the corporation's extensive fleet of nearly 3,000 buses, which significantly increases operational expenditure and adds to its overall financial burden.
The government's latest initiative aims to provide financial stability to retired employees and ensure that their pensions are paid on time, reducing hardships faced by pensioners.
