Warring Congress, BJP MLAs in debt-ridden Himachal unite to give themselves 24% salary hike

Outrage on social media as netizens condemn move

MANDI: In a rare display of unity, MLAs from both the ruling and opposition parties in Himachal Pradesh came together in the Assembly — not to address the state’s worsening financial crisis, but to approve a significant 24 per cent salary hike for themselves.

The decision comes at a time when the Himachal Pradesh government is reeling under a debt of about ₹94,000 crore, delaying salaries and pensions of government employees and forcing the public to give up subsidies on electricity and water.

Instead of discussing solutions to the economic distress, the last day of the budget session saw the government presenting a bill to increase the salaries of MLAs, ministers, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. Surprisingly, the opposition — usually critical of the government’s financial mismanagement — enthusiastically supported the decision.

Opposition calls it ‘justified after 9 years’

Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur backed the salary hike, arguing that legislators hadn’t received a raise in nine years and that certain allowances for telephone, electricity and water were being reduced.

However, this justification failed to convince an increasingly frustrated public that is bearing the brunt of the state’s economic collapse.

Employees, pensioners facing payment delays

The state is already under a debt of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore and the government has repeatedly claimed it has no funds to run basic welfare schemes.

Salaries of nearly 2 lakh government employees and 1.5 lakh pensioners have been delayed multiple times due to a shortage of funds.

The government has asked employees in Grade-1 and Grade-2 categories to give up their electricity subsidies as part of cost-cutting measures.

Over 12,768 consumers have already surrendered their electricity subsidies in response to government pressure. The treasury has often run dry, delaying payments for essential projects and welfare programs.

Public outrage erupts on social media

The moment the news of the salary hike broke, social media exploded with criticism. Citizens, who have been asked to tighten their belts due to the state’s financial woes, called out the hypocrisy of the government and opposition alike.

Angry public reactions:

Narendra Kumar:
“Well done! They expect the common man to give up subsidies promised before elections, while they conveniently raise their own salaries. This is a great step towards improving the state’s economy!” (sarcastic tone)

Ranjeet Singh:
“Inflation is rising, and people are struggling, yet our honourable MLAs feel burdened by the money they have to spend on ‘gifts’ and maintaining their status. They claim their prestige should be higher than the Chief Secretary’s, but their mindset remains like that of beggars!”

Billy Negi:
“India’s youth are unemployed, struggling to make ends meet. A soldier barely earns ₹9,000-₹10,000 while risking his life. How is he supposed to pay rent, buy food, travel, and support his family? But MLAs, who live luxuriously, still demand a salary hike!”

Anshika Chauhan:
“The government claims a financial crisis when it comes to recruiting people for even a single post. But there’s no economic crisis when it comes to increasing salaries for ministers?”

Nageshwar Singh:
“The government claims it has no money for the people, yet the MLAs are delighted with their salary hikes. Meanwhile, visually impaired protesters have been sitting in Chhota Shimla for two days, but no one cares about them. Even news channels only run behind politicians!”

Surinder Singh Jaswal:
“Can we really call ministers and MLAs ‘public servants’ anymore?”

Daljit Singh:
“The government cannot even provide ₹1,500 in pension to the elderly, but they have enough to increase their own salaries!”

Jeet Thakur:
“MLAs should get at least ₹10 lakh per month! After all, these poor souls come from hardship only to selflessly serve the public (sarcastically)!”

MLAs prioritise themselves while state burns

Himachal’s financial crisis is at its peak. Government employees, pensioners, and unemployed youth are struggling to survive, while the government imposes more and more austerity measures on the public. But when it came to their own salaries, MLAs conveniently forgot the crisis and voted unanimously in favor of a pay raise.

Munish Sood