Himachal Employees Demand Their Rights Following Salary Hike for Dignitaries
Joint Employees Federation during the press conference
Shimla, March 29, 2025: The recent decision to increase the salaries and allowances of dignitaries, including Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and ministers, has sparked strong reactions from the employee community in Himachal Pradesh. Following the announcement made on the last day of the budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the Joint Employees Federation (JEF) has raised their voice in demand for the release of their pending dues and liabilities. The Federation has pointed out that while the government has taken care of the salary hikes for the political class, the employees have yet to see similar recognition for their services.
On Saturday, the Federation organized a press conference in Shimla to express their dissatisfaction and highlight the pressing issues faced by the state’s employees. Virendra Chauhan, the President of the Joint Employees Federation, addressed the media and emphasized that the state’s economic condition is in a stable position, making it feasible for the government to clear the pending dues of its employees.
Salary Hike for Dignitaries Sparks Employee Discontent
Chauhan referred to the salary hike announced for dignitaries, which includes a 24 to 26 percent increase in the salaries and allowances of MLAs and ministers. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had confirmed the raise, noting that inflation had taken a toll on the living standards of lawmakers, and thus, their salary had been adjusted accordingly. While the raise was well-received among the political class, the employees feel that their concerns were overlooked during the budget session, especially when it comes to their own long-pending salary and allowance issues.
“The salary of MLAs and ministers was increased on the last day of the budget session, yet no discussion took place regarding the employees’ demands. While the political class received much-needed relief, the employees have been waiting for their rightful dues for a long time,” Chauhan said.
Employees’ Struggle for Fair Treatment
The Federation President pointed out that the employees’ salaries had last been revised in 2022, a gap of 16 years since the 2006 revision. However, the hike provided in 2022 only covered the basic salary and not the allowances, leaving employees with unmet financial needs. Furthermore, the salary revision implemented by the Himachal government in 2022 followed the central government’s guidelines, unlike the previous practice of aligning salaries with the Punjab model. As a result, Himachal employees feel they have fallen behind their counterparts in Punjab, who have continued to receive better pay packages.
Moreover, Chauhan raised the issue of Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears, which have been pending since 2023. He highlighted that the state government owes at least four installments of DA arrears to employees, amounting to significant sums for many workers, with some employees carrying pending liabilities of over Rs 5 lakh or more.
“The employees are waiting for their DA arrears to be cleared. These dues are an essential part of our income, and it is high time the government addressed this issue,” Chauhan stated.
Call for Action and Future Plans
To press for their rights, the Joint Employees Federation has called for a conference on April 7, where they plan to devise a strategy for future actions. Chauhan stressed that the employees are prepared to continue their struggle if their legitimate demands are not met soon. The Federation has also vowed to bring attention to the unequal treatment of employees in comparison to the political class.
The demands are clear: an immediate release of DA arrears, a revision of allowances in line with inflation, and a fair salary structure that recognizes the contributions of the employees who serve the state. As the Federation prepares for further demonstrations, the employees of Himachal Pradesh are hoping that their voices will finally be heard by the government.
This growing unrest among employees comes at a time when the state is grappling with rising costs of living and inflation, making the employees’ demand for fair compensation all the more urgent. As the state government navigates these pressures, the resolution of the employees’ demands will be key to maintaining morale and ensuring long-term stability in the workforce.
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