Himachal Government Suspends Notification on Withdrawing Higher Pay Grades: CM Sukhu

The notification would have affected around 14,000 employees across 89 categories, who feared a monthly loss of ₹5,000 to ₹15,000.

Facing criticism from employee unions and the opposition BJP, the Himachal Pradesh government on Monday decided to “suspend” the notification issued on September 6, which sought to withdraw higher pay grades for its employees.

The notification had raised concerns among nearly 14,000 employees in 89 categories, who feared that it would result in a monthly salary cut ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated on Monday that the notification issued on September 6 regarding the removal of Rule 7A from the Himachal Pradesh Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2022, will remain suspended. He emphasized that the government is committed to safeguarding employees’ interests and that it would be inappropriate to implement such a directive without considering their concerns.

In a statement released here, the Chief Minister stressed that human considerations must always be taken into account when amending rules and regulations.

Earlier, secretariat employee unions had met the Chief Minister and urged him to withdraw the notification.

The BJP had claimed that Himachal Pradesh became the first state in the country where a Congress-led government reduced employees’ salaries, accusing the ruling party of betraying the people of the state.

Subsequently, a fresh notification was issued, placing a hold on the proposed pay revision.