The Newz Radar
DHARAMSHALA: Hopes for early disbursement of arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission for Himachal Pradesh government employees and pensioners have been dampened as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in the Vidhan Sabha during the winter session here that the process may take up to two years.
Speaking during the question hour in the House, the Chief Minister said Rs 10,000 crore is owed to state employees and pensioners, as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
Sukhu lamented that the previous BJP government had implemented the recommendations but failed to allocate funds in the budget, leaving the state grappling with the burden. The Chief Minister acknowledged the challenges of reviving the state’s economy, inheriting a poor fiscal condition from the previous government. He estimated that it would take one to two years to stabilise the economy before the much-awaited arrears could be disbursed.
Responding to a query from Congress’ Sujanpur MLA Rajendra Rana, Sukhu disclosed that the matter of revising pensions for pensioners of municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats is currently under the government’s consideration. He highlighted that his government, upon assuming power, promptly reinstated the old pension system for state employees, benefitting over 500 retired individuals.
In response to BJP MLA DS Thakur’s inquiry, Chief Minister Sukhu affirmed that despite adverse economic conditions, his government had increased honorarium. He assured that once the state emerges from its economic challenges, the honorarium for special police officers (SPOs) would be hiked.
Sukhu revealed that the state government had formally approached the Central Government to augment SPO honorarium, but the request was denied. Undeterred, he announced plans to personally address the matter during his visit to Delhi in the first week of January, where he intends to raise the issue with the Home Minister.
In a collaborative effort, BJP MLA Hans Raj disclosed his communication with Tarun Kapoor, adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), indicating Kapoor’s recommendation to draft a letter from the state government urging an honorarium increase for all 526 SPOs. This strategic move aims to prompt the Prime Minister’s Office to consider and decide on the matter.
