Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented a detailed picture of the state's financial commitments under the revived Old Pension Scheme (OPS) during the winter session of the legislative assembly in Dharamshala. The CM disclosed that currently, 5,356 retired state employees are drawing benefits under the OPS, a number expected to grow steadily, thereby increasing the pressure on the state's treasury.
OPS Implementation and Its Financial Repercussions
Replying to a query from Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur during the Question Hour on Thursday, Chief Minister Sukhu stated that his government restored the OPS for approximately 1.36 lakh employees immediately after assuming power. He highlighted that the decision had an instant financial consequence, with the Central government withholding the state's additional borrowing limit of Rs 1,600 crore.
"We are currently giving OPS to 5,356 employees. As more employees retire, the burden on the state treasury will continue to increase," Sukhu explained to the House. He emphasized that the restoration was not a politically motivated move timed for elections. "If we wanted, we could have launched the scheme six months before elections. But we decided to implement the scheme in the first Cabinet keeping in mind the social security of the employees," the CM added.
He further informed that over the last three years, a total of 21,000 retiring employees opted for OPS instead of the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
BJP Walkout Over Police Action and Passage of Key Bills
The assembly proceedings were marked by a walkout by BJP legislators. The opposition party staged the protest over the alleged use of police force against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists near the Vidhan Sabha complex a day earlier.
Jai Ram Thakur claimed the student protesters had obtained prior permission from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) but were still subjected to a lathi-charge. In response, CM Sukhu stated that the permission was only for a march to the Zorawar stadium and that the protesters were injured when they tried to break police barricades beyond the permitted route. "A few cops also suffered injuries in the scuffle," Sukhu said, accusing the BJP of using the issue as an excuse to walk out.
In the absence of the BJP members, the House passed two significant amendment bills: the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporations (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Himachal Pradesh Municipalities (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025. The first bill proposes to extend the terms of mayors and deputy mayors from two-and-a-half years to five years, while the second mandates audits of municipal accounts for transparency and rationalizes various municipal fees and penalties.
Personal Visit Clarification and Adjournment
During the session, the Chief Minister also addressed a personal matter. Responding to a question from BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar, Sukhu clarified that his recent visit to London was for his daughter's admission and that all expenses were borne from his personal pocket. "It was a personal visit. Even the tea and food bills were paid online from my personal account," he stated.
With the BJP members remaining absent after the walkout, no further business could be conducted. The Speaker subsequently adjourned the House until Friday morning.
