Some problems, but salaries will be released soon, says Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu

Even as uncertainty over payment of salaries and pension to serving and retired government employees continued, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today refuted opposition apprehensions of a financial emergency in Himachal.

“Salary is not being stopped but due to financial discipline there are small problems but employees will soon get their salaries,” said Sukhu. He said a statement in this regard would be made in the Assembly as to how previous BJP regime was responsible for financial mismanagement by giving free power, water and opening 600 new institutions.

The number of employees in the state is 2.42 lakh while there are 1.89 lakh pensioners. The monthly salary bill of employees is about Rs 1200 crore while another Rs 800 crore is required for payment of pensions. With a fiscal liability of over Rs 86,589 crore, HP is the fourth highest debt stressed state of the country with limited avenues for revenue generation. The wait by anxious employees and pensioners continued today amidst talk of state government adopting a staggered schedule for payment of salaries and pension on different dates for various categories like Punjab to bring in financial discipline.