Sunil Chadha
Shimla:
In a festive gesture ahead of Diwali, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) announced the release of long-pending 3% dearness allowance (DA) for Himachal Pradesh government employees.
The announcement was made during the state conference of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Employees’ Union held at Hotel Peterhoff in Shimla. The DA hike had earlier been proposed in the state budget, but the disbursement was delayed due to financial constraints.
Addressing employees at the event, CM Sukhu confirmed that the arrears from April 1 to September 2025 would be credited into employees’ bank accounts before Diwali. The increased DA will be reflected in the October salary and pension, which will be disbursed in November.
Decision pending on older arrears
The Chief Minister also assured that a separate decision would soon be made regarding the DA arrears from July 2023 to March 2025 and a notification will be issued shortly. The move is expected to benefit thousands of government employees and pensioners across the state.
Apart from the DA release, the CM made several other employee-friendly announcements. He said outsourced employees who suffer injuries while on duty will now be eligible for compensation from the government. He said pending promotions will be processed with immediate effect and decisions regarding the implementation of old pension scheme (OPS) and other policy matters in the Electricity Board will be taken soon. He said chargesheets filed against employees will be reviewed and withdrawn where appropriate.
Union’s legacy highlighted
During the event, CM Sukhu also unveiled the union’s souvenir. The State Electricity Board Employees’ Union, formed in 1971, continues to be a key voice for employee rights and welfare. The union’s general secretary, Hiralal Verma, addressed the gathering and welcomed the government’s commitments.
The announcements have been welcomed by employees, with many calling it a much-needed morale boost during the festive season. The decisions are also being viewed as a step toward improving relations between the government and its workforce, particularly within critical sectors like power and public services.
