Himachal CM on back foot for merely deferring, not forgoing, salary for 2 months

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu finds himself on the back foot after merely deferring, rather than completely forgoing, salaries and allowances for two months for himself, his ministers, chief parliamentary secretaries and chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of boards and corporations.

The move, intended to demonstrate austerity in the face of the state’s dire financial crisis, has drawn widespread criticism as mere “lip service and befooling the public”.

From praise to criticism

Initially, the announcement garnered praise as it seemed that the Chief Minister and his team were voluntarily forgoing their salaries for two months to help address the state’s financial emergency. However, the sentiment quickly turned sour when it became clear that the measure was only a deferment, not a cancellation, of payments.

Critics have accused Sukhu of failing to make a meaningful sacrifice, with many questioning the sincerity of the government’s commitment to austerity measures. The backlash intensified as opposition leaders and members of the public voiced their disappointment over what they perceive as a missed opportunity for the Chief Minister to lead by example during a financial crisis.

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Gokul Butail’s gesture shifts focus

Adding fuel to the fire, Gokul Butail, the principal adviser to CM Sukhu, opted to forgo his entire salary for the financial year 2024-25. Butail, who holds a Cabinet-rank position as the principal adviser on innovation, digital technologies and governance, announced that he would draw only a symbolic Re 1 salary for the year. His decision was widely praised across social media, with many questioning why Sukhu himself did not take such a step.

Social media platforms were flooded with comments commending Butail’s sacrifice and urging other leaders to follow suit. “If Gokul Butail can do it, why can’t the Chief Minister and his team?” one user wrote, echoing the sentiments of many.

Missed opportunity for Sukhu

The Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, also weighed in, criticising the state government for its handling of the financial crisis. He pointed out the irony in Sukhu’s call for austerity while failing to make more significant personal sacrifices, such as forgoing salaries entirely rather than just deferring them.

Political analysts believe that Sukhu missed a strategic opportunity to strengthen his leadership image by not taking the initiative to forgo his salary completely. By allowing Butail to set the standard, Sukhu has inadvertently ceded a significant amount of public goodwill that could have bolstered his reputation as a leader committed to financial discipline, said the analysts.