2 days ago
Himachal CM Announces Arrears, Welfare Measures for Employees, Pensioners
Himachal Pradesh’s government is taking steps to give workers and retired workers money they are owed.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Dearness Allowance will be paid later.
Some older pensioners have already received their full arrears, leave encashment and gratuity.
Certain retired Class-IV employees will get an extra ₹20,000.
More pensioners may receive 35% of their pending arrears after a pay-related rule is removed.
The government also gave money directly to 800 fishermen.
It increased pay for contract and trainee specialist doctors.
It also increased stipends for postgraduate medical students.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Dearness Allowance for state employees and pensioners would be provided in due course.
Pensioners aged above 67 have received full arrears, leave encashment and gratuity, according to the report.
Class-IV employees who retired between 1 January 2016 and 31 January 2022 will receive an additional ₹20,000 beyond their salary arrears.
Removing a basic-pay condition would allow eligible Class-I, Class-II and Class-III pensioners to receive 35% of pending arrears, taking total arrears cleared to 57%.
The government also provided ₹3,500 each to 800 fishermen and raised salaries or stipends for several medical professionals and students.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, state employees, pensioners, fishermen and medical professionals.
- What
- The state announced arrears-related measures, welfare payments and higher salaries or stipends for selected groups.
- Where
- Dehra in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
- When
- The announcements were made on Sunday; related DA and arrears reviews occurred in July, while medical pay changes were approved in early August.
- Why
- The measures are intended to support employees and pensioners, provide financial assistance and improve staffing and services in government healthcare institutions.
Key facts
- Additional payment
- Eligible Class-IV employees retired between 1 January 2016 and 31 January 2022 will receive ₹20,000 above their salary arrears.
- Pension arrears
- Eligible Class-I, Class-II and Class-III pensioners would receive 35% of pending arrears after removal of a basic-pay condition.
- Total arrears cleared
- The government said the payment would bring the total share of employees’ arrears cleared to 57%.
- Older pensioners
- Pensioners above 67 years were reported to have received full arrears, leave encashment and gratuity.
- Fishermen’s assistance
- Eight hundred fishermen received ₹3,500 each through direct bank transfers under the Mukhyamantri Machhuaara Samman Nidhi Yojana.
- Specialist doctors’ pay
- Monthly pay for contract and trainee medical officers who are specialists increased from ₹33,600 to ₹60,000.
- State finances
- Sukhu said the government was reviewing DA and pending arrears after a high-level Finance Department meeting; he also cited ₹1,200 crore in withheld central financial assistance following restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.
Quotes
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh
“Following the restoration of OPS, the Centre withheld financial assistance of ₹1,200 crore due to the state. Had this amount not been withheld, Himachal Pradesh would have been in a position to clear employees' pending arrears. Nevertheless, the state government is sympathetically considering the demands of employees.”
livemint.com
“Following the removal of this condition, all eligible pensioners would be paid 35% of their pending arrears. With this payment, a total of 57% of the employees' arrears would be cleared.”
livemint.com
Sources
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