Presides over State-level function of ‘Pensioner Joint Front’
Ghumarwin, December 17:
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the Himachal Pradesh Government has incurred an expenditure of ₹2,155 crore on the payment of arrears to employees and pensioners.
He was speaking at the State-level function of the HP Pensioners Joint Front held at Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district on Wednesday. The Chief Minister said Pensioners’ Day was not merely a formal event but an opportunity to honour the services, sacrifices and dedication of those who strengthened the administrative foundations of Himachal Pradesh through honesty, commitment and a strong sense of duty. The strength of today’s institutions and efficiency of the administrative system reflected the tireless efforts and rich experience of retired employees, he added. Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said pensioners not only strengthened the government machinery but also set an inspiring example of discipline, responsibility and public service for future generations. State Government, he asserted, would always remain grateful for their immense contribution.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to the welfare of employees and pensioners, the Chief Minister said that immediately after assuming office, the government fulfilled its promise by restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in its very first Cabinet meeting despite financial challenges and a debt burden of ₹75,000 crore received from the previous BJP government. He said the restoration of OPS had provided dignity, security and confidence to 1.36 lakh employees and that the huge backlog of salary and pension arrears left by the previous government was being cleared in a phased and systematic manner.
The Chief Minister said that full payment of pension and family pension arrears had been made to pensioners and family pensioners aged 75 years and above on priority. While the previous government had paid only 20 per cent arrears, the present government has cleared 80 per cent of the same. Similarly, pensioners above 70 years of age have received 70 per cent of their total arrears, with 50 per cent paid by the present government as against 20 per cent given earlier.
The remaining 30 per cent arrears of this category will be paid within 40 days. Pensioners in the 65 to 70 age group have been paid 38 per cent arrears, with the present government paying an additional 18 per cent over the previous 20 per cent, involving an expenditure of ₹75 crore. Pensioners below 65 years of age have been paid 35 per cent arrears, with the government paying an additional 15 per cent over the earlier 20 per cent, at a cost of ₹110 crore. He further informed that 20 per cent gratuity arrears have been paid to employees who retired between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. Regarding salary arrears, the Chief Minister said ₹50,000 has been paid as an installment to Class-I to Class-III employees and ₹60,000 to Class-IV employees, involving an expenditure of ₹800 crore. An additional ₹20,000 was paid to all Class-IV employees on October 19, 2024, costing ₹100 crore.
The Chief Minister said that to extend pension benefits to Class-IV employees, the government has granted the benefit of one year of qualifying service for pension calculation in lieu of five years of daily-wage service. He assured that as revenue improves, pending arrears and liabilities of employees and pensioners will be cleared on priority and said that by 2027, all pension arrears would be paid. The upcoming budget, he added, would include effective decisions in the interest of pensioners. The Chief Minister appealed to pensioners to support the government’s efforts to improve the State’s financial condition, keeping in view the serious fiscal challenges.
On the occasion, the Mandi unit of the Pensioners Joint Front presented a cheque of ₹1 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The Chief Minister also highlighted several reform-oriented initiatives of the government and said that a policy was being considered to support families displaced due to the Bhakra Dam project in Bilaspur. He criticised the Centre, stating that BJP leaders, including Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, were not presenting correct figures regarding financial assistance to Himachal Pradesh and that the State’s interests were being neglected. Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for dedicating development projects worth ₹69 crore to the Ghumarwin area.
He said that despite economic challenges, the Chief Minister ensured fiscal discipline, created new revenue resources, and implemented various welfare schemes. State President of the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Front, Atma Ram Sharma, welcomed the Chief Minister and appreciated the financial benefits extended by the present government while highlighting the pending demands of pensioners.
Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma ‘Bittu’, Member of the State Women Commission Reena Pundir, Chairman APMC Satpal Vardhan, former MLAs Tilak Raj and Bumber Thakur, Congress leader Vivek Kumar, office-bearers of the Pensioners Joint Front, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
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