Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday directed the Finance department to withdraw the notification regarding the deferment of salaries. He further assured that all pending arrears will be cleared next month. The decision was announced during a meeting chaired by the chief minister, where he reviewed the state's financial health and employee welfare measures.
Withdrawal of Deferment Notification
The chief minister ordered the immediate withdrawal of the salary deferment notification, which had previously exempted the chief minister himself. This move is seen as a significant step towards addressing employee concerns. Sukhu emphasized that the state's financial condition has improved substantially due to pragmatic government policies.
Improved Economic Indicators
According to an official statement, Sukhu noted that the state's economy is showing encouraging results. He remarked that Himachal Pradesh is steadily progressing towards self-reliance. The government has successfully plugged several loopholes that previously led to financial leakages and corruption, contributing to the improved fiscal health.
Release of Arrears and DA
During the meeting, Sukhu directed the Finance department to release the arrears of all pensioners in the coming month. He also reviewed the pending arrears and Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees. The chief minister reiterated that government employees are the backbone of the state and that the government is committed to safeguarding their welfare and interests.
Restoration of Old Pension Scheme
Sukhu highlighted that his government restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to ensure social and financial security for employees. However, he noted that following the restoration of OPS, the Union government withheld financial assistance amounting to Rs 1,200 crore due to the state. He explained that if this amount had not been withheld, the state government would have been in a position to clear the pending arrears of employees. Nevertheless, the state government is sympathetically considering the demands of employees.
Commitment to Employee Welfare
The chief minister assured that the government is actively working to address employee grievances and ensure timely payment of dues. The withdrawal of the salary deferment notification and the promise to release arrears next month are part of the government's broader commitment to employee welfare. Sukhu reiterated that the state's financial policies are designed to benefit both employees and pensioners.
This development comes as a relief for thousands of government employees and pensioners in the state, who had been awaiting clarity on their pending salaries and arrears. The government's decision reflects its focus on maintaining a stable and supportive environment for its workforce.
