CM announces ₹10,000 each for Class-IV employees and pensioners; DA notification on November 1 as state’s debt stands at ₹99,564 crore
Munish Sood
SHIMLA: Ahead of Diwali, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced a five per cent dearness allowance (DA) benefit for government employees and pensioners, extending festive relief to around 3.5 lakh beneficiaries across the state. The announcement combines a four per cent DA increase with one per cent pending from the previous year.
In an additional relief measure, the Chief Minister announced ₹10,000 in arrears for Class-IV employees and ₹10,000 for pensioners. The official notification regarding the DA benefit will be issued on November 1.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Shimla, where Sukhu also addressed the state’s financial position, the opposition’s allegations over public debt and protests against the government.
₹10,000 relief for Class-IV employees and pensioners
The five per cent DA benefit is expected to provide financial support to serving government employees and pensioners ahead of the festive season. Sukhu said the announcement included the four per cent increase along with the one per cent DA pending from the previous year.
The additional ₹10,000 announced for Class-IV employees and pensioners forms a separate component of the relief package.
Sukhu puts state debt at ₹99,564 crore
Turning to the state’s finances, the Chief Minister placed Himachal Pradesh’s total outstanding debt at ₹99,564 crore as of the figures presented at the press conference.
Sukhu said the previous BJP government, headed by former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, had borrowed ₹43,261 crore during its five-year tenure. His government, he added, had borrowed ₹37,781 crore up to October 22, 2026.
The figures came amid a political dispute over Thakur’s assertion that the state’s debt had crossed ₹1 lakh crore. Rejecting the claim, Sukhu accused the former Chief Minister of making misleading statements, sharpening the political confrontation over Himachal’s finances.
The competing claims have once again brought the state’s debt burden, borrowing and fiscal management into focus.
‘Protesting is people’s right,’ says CM
On protests against the state government, Sukhu said employees and members of the public had the democratic right to register their opposition and express their grievances.
His remarks came amid demonstrations against the government on various issues, including those concerning employees. The Chief Minister said the right to protest was legitimate, even when demonstrations were directed against the government.
The DA announcement offers festive relief to a substantial section of Himachal’s government workforce and pensioners. However, the state’s financial position and the political debate over its debt are likely to remain central to the government’s engagement with the opposition in the coming days.
