Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Govt Inherited ₹10,000-Crore Debt; Sukhu Details Steps to Clear Arrears
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told the Assembly that the state inherited liabilities of over ₹10,000 crore from the previous government. He detailed the financial measures taken to clear long-pending salary, pension and gratuity arrears while expecting enhanced support from the Centre.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told the Himachal Pradesh Assembly that the present government inherited liabilities of more than ₹10,000 crore from the previous regime, pushing the state into a severe financial crunch. He made the remarks while responding to questions raised by former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur regarding delayed payments to employees and pensioners.
Sukhu said the government prioritised the settlement of dues for senior pensioners soon after taking office. Pensioners and family pensioners aged 75 and above have received their full arrears, while those between 70 and 75 years have been paid 70 per cent. The remaining 30 per cent for this group will be released within the current financial year at a cost of ₹90 crore.
He informed the House that pensioners aged 65–70 years have received 38 per cent of their arrears, and those below 65 years have been paid 35 per cent. The state has also released 20 per cent of gratuity arrears to employees who retired between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021.
According to the Chief Minister, Class I to Class III employees have been given ₹50,000 each as part payment of salary arrears, while Class IV employees received ₹60,000, followed by an additional ₹20,000 instalment issued on October 19, 2024.
So far, the government has spent ₹2,155 crore to clear arrears owed to employees and pensioners, though pending liabilities still amount to ₹8,555 crore.
Sukhu said nearly 1.17 lakh employees had benefitted from the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Class IV employees have also been provided relief by allowing one year of qualifying service to count in place of five years of daily wage employment for pension eligibility.
He added that the government has taken several financial decisions aimed at stabilising the state’s economy. As revenue improves, the remaining arrears will be cleared in a phased and prioritised manner.
The Chief Minister said the state expects increased financial assistance from the Centre over the next five years based on the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, after which all pending liabilities will be fully settled.
