Himachal CM Sukhu faces backlash for raising ‘close aide’s’ salary by Rs 1 lakh

Amidst Himachal Pradesh’s severe economic crisis, the state government has increased the salary of the Himachal Building and Other Construction Worker Welfare Board (HPBOCWB) Chairman by Rs 1 lakh, raising it from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1.3 lakh, excluding additional allowances and facilities.

The decision, made under the Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has ignited widespread criticism.

Nardev Kanwar appointed in March

The chairman, Nardev Kanwar, a close aide of Sukhu and a Congress leader from Kangra district, was appointed to the position in March. Previously earning Rs 30,000, his salary has now been increased nearly fivefold, causing an uproar among employees, pensioners and opposition parties.

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Retired Principal Jeevan Sharma criticized the move, highlighting the contrast between the chairman’s hefty raise and the struggles of pensioners who are forced to seek legal recourse.

Sudhir compares Sukhu to Imran Khan

BJP MLA from Dharamshala, Sudhir Sharma, sarcastically likened the situation to the tenure of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, while CPI(M) leader Vijendra Mehra accused the government of hypocrisy — lamenting an economic crisis publicly while privately increasing salaries for favored individuals.

Notification kept confidential

The notification for the salary hike, dated July 30, was kept confidential but surfaced on social media after a confrontation between government employees and officials at the state secretariat. Public reaction has been swift and critical, with many questioning the government’s priorities as it faces mounting debt exceeding Rs 90,000 crore.

Oppn gets another issue to target govt

For over a year and a half, the opposition has targeted the Congress government for what they describe as wasteful spending, citing the appointment of six Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and a large number of advisors, OSDs, and chairpersons in various boards and corporations. The salary hike has only fueled their claims, with many calling it a government that serves the interests of a few.