2 hrs ago
Himachal Pradesh CM Promises Periodic Clearance Of Pensioner Dues
Pensioners in Himachal Pradesh protested because they said the government still owed them several payments.
They asked for dearness allowance, revised pension arrears, leave encashment and other benefits.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state’s finances are improving.
He said the government is paying employee and pensioner dues in stages.
According to him, arrears for pensioners above 67 have been released.
He also said all dues of Class IV pensioners have been settled.
The government has paid 55 per cent of certain outstanding payments for people who retired between 2016 and 2022.
Sukhu said more payments would be made as the state’s economic health improves.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh’s economic condition is steadily improving.
The government says it has cleared arrears for pensioners aged above 67 and all dues of Class IV pensioners.
The government has paid 55 per cent of outstanding payments for people who retired between 2016 and 2022.
Pensioners recently protested in Shimla seeking dearness allowance, pension arrears and other pending benefits.
Sukhu said the state had not received any of the Rs 1,500 crore in disaster relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh pensioners and employees, and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
- What
- The chief minister said the government is periodically clearing employee and pensioner dues after a pensioners’ protest.
- Where
- The protest was held near the Vidhan Sabha in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
- When
- The protest took place on Tuesday, and Sukhu discussed the issue with mediapersons on Thursday; the report is dated September 3.
- Why
- Pensioners were demanding dearness allowance, post-2016 pay revision liabilities, revised pension arrears, leave encashment and other pending financial benefits.
State Government’s Position
Pensioners’ Concerns
Timing of payments
State Government’s Position
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said dues are being cleared periodically and that the remaining payments will be settled as the state’s economic health improves.
Pensioners’ Concerns
Pensioners protested because several financial benefits, including dearness allowance, pension arrears and leave encashment, remained pending.
State finances
State Government’s Position
Sukhu said the state’s economic condition is steadily improving and that the government is operating with financial discipline and transparency.
Pensioners’ Concerns
The protest demands reflect pensioners’ concern that their outstanding payments have not been fully settled.
Central support
State Government’s Position
Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh continued clearing dues despite the Centre’s discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant.
Pensioners’ Concerns
The chief minister also said the state had not received any money from the Rs 1,500 crore disaster-relief assistance announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key facts
- Protest demands
- Pensioners sought 16 per cent Dearness Allowance, post-2016 pay revision liabilities, revised pension arrears, leave encashment and other pending benefits.
- Arrears for older pensioners
- The government said it released arrears for pensioners aged above 67.
- Class IV pensioners
- The government said all dues of Class IV pensioners have been settled.
- Retiree payments
- Fifty-five per cent of outstanding payments for people who retired between 2016 and 2022 has been paid.
- Revenue measures
- Sukhu said revenue was generated by closing loopholes that facilitated corruption.
- Revenue Deficit Grant
- Sukhu said the state continued clearing pensioner dues despite the Centre discontinuing the Revenue Deficit Grant.
- Disaster relief
- Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh had not received any part of the Rs 1,500 crore in disaster relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sources
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