Himachal Pradesh News
Sukhu Defends Restoration of Old Pension Scheme, Says Move Aimed at Social Security
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu rejects BJP’s allegation that the Old Pension Scheme was reinstated for political gain, asserting in the Vidhan Sabha that the decision was driven by social security concerns despite significant financial pressures on the state.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday dismissed the BJP’s allegation that the Congress government restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for political advantage.
Responding to a question from Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur in the Vidhan Sabha, Sukhu said the decision was taken in the very first Cabinet meeting, with the sole aim of providing social security to government employees.
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The Chief Minister informed the House that OPS had been restored for 1.36 lakh government employees. However, the move came at a financial cost, as the Centre subsequently withdrew the state’s additional borrowing limit of ₹1,600 crore.
Of those covered under the restored scheme, 5,356 employees have already retired and are drawing pension under OPS, he said. Sukhu noted that the pension burden will rise substantially as more employees superannuate in the coming years.
Between December 30, 2022, and October 31, 2025, a total of 26,324 government employees retired in the state. This includes 9,498 retirees in 2022–23, 9,821 in 2023–24, and 7,005 employees who retired up to October 31, 2025, he added.
During the same period, the government created 8,436 new posts, Sukhu said, emphasising that although job creation continues, the financial pressure arising from the restored pension scheme will keep increasing.
