Himachal Pradesh Employees Protest Salary Deferment, Seek Government Review
Government employees in Himachal Pradesh have strongly urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to withdraw the decision to defer a portion of their salaries, citing negligible financial benefits for the state and existing burdens of unpaid arrears. The move, announced in the Budget speech, has sparked widespread criticism among staff, particularly from Class I and Class II employees.
Employee Representatives Highlight Unfair Burden
Hira Lal Verma, secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Karamchari Mahasangh, emphasized the unfairness of the deferment, noting that employees are already grappling with pending dues. "We have requested the Chief Minister to review this decision. Our revised pay scale and Dearness Allowance arrears have been pending with the government, adding to our financial stress," Verma stated. The Mahasangh represents employees across multiple government departments and has been vocal in opposing the measure.
Details of the Salary Deferment Plan
In his Budget announcement, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu outlined a staggered deferment structure affecting various categories of public officials:
- Chief Minister: 50% salary deferment.
- Deputy Chief Minister, ministers, and top officials: 30% deferment.
- MLAs and senior bureaucrats: 20% deferment.
- Group A and Group B employees: 3% salary deferment for six months.
- Group C and Group D employees: Excluded from the deferment.
This tiered approach aims to address fiscal challenges, but employees argue it disproportionately impacts their livelihoods.
Minimal Impact on State Finances Cited
The Sanyukt Karamchari Mahasangh has challenged the financial rationale behind the deferment, pointing out its insignificant effect on the state's overall expenditure. Verma explained, "There are approximately 28,000 to 30,000 Group A and Group B employees in Himachal Pradesh. A 3% cut on basic salary would save the government around Rs 8 crore monthly, while on gross salary, it might reach Rs 12 crore." He contrasted this with the state's monthly salary and pension liability of roughly Rs 2,300 crore, deeming the savings trivial in comparison.
Growing Resentment and Calls for Rollback
Beyond the Mahasangh, other associations like the State Lecturers Association and the College Teachers Association have expressed resentment and joined the call for a rollback. Employees highlight that the non-payment of four instalments of Dearness Allowance and arrears under the revised 2016 pay scales has already strained their finances. Verma also noted that senior bureaucrats facing a 20% deferment are informally seeking a review, as such a cut could significantly disrupt their household budgets.
The controversy underscores broader tensions over fiscal management and employee welfare in Himachal Pradesh, with staff demanding immediate action to alleviate their economic hardships.
