Shimla, August 24: Various delegations of Himachal Pradesh non-gazetted employees and teachers associations today met Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and discussed a number of demands, including release of dearness allowance (DA) and arrears. The Chief Minister assured the employees that their demands would be considered sympathetically, and a follow-up meeting has been scheduled at the end of September 2024 to review the financial position of the state.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Sukhu stressed that all officers and employees of the state government are like family members, and the government is committed to address their genuine concerns. He announced that instructions have already been issued to profit-making boards and corporations to release DA and arrears to ensure financial benefits for their employees.
However, the meeting took place amid an ongoing protest by employees of the state secretariat in Shimla, who are demanding immediate release of DA and arrears. The protest has turned into a war of words between a minister of the Sukhu government and employee leaders, reflecting growing tensions over the issue.
Chief Minister Sukhu criticized the previous BJP government for withholding DA instalments and said his government has already released the 7% hike in DA to employees and is paying full arrears to pensioners above 75 years of age. He also highlighted the financial challenges inherited from the previous government, including Rs 10,000 crore in liabilities to employees and Rs 9,200 crore of NPS funds stuck with the central government.
In response to the restoration of the old pension scheme, the central government has imposed restrictions on the state, including a fixed debt limit of Rs 6,600 crore and a lower revenue deficit grant of Rs 3,500 crore for the next financial year. This grant is Rs 7,000 crore less than the grant received by the previous BJP government.
Despite these financial constraints, Chief Minister Sukhu assured the employees that their salary anomalies would be addressed and vacant posts would be filled to ensure smooth functioning of the state departments. The Chief Minister urged the employees to work together with the administration to protect the interests of the people of Himachal Pradesh.
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