Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Feb 12,
At a time when Himachal Pradesh is grappling with delayed payments, rising liabilities and intensifying scrutiny over government expenditure, Principal Adviser (Innovation, Digital Technologies & Governance) to the Chief Minister, Gokul Butail, has formally reiterated that he will continue to draw a token honorarium of Rs 1 for the financial year 2026–27.
An official communication issued on February 12 from the Office of the Principal Adviser to the General Administration Department confirms that Butail has conveyed his decision to maintain the same arrangement followed in previous years — accepting only a symbolic ₹1 honorarium. The letter also clearly states that he will not avail himself of TA/DA or any other admissible allowances under his entitlement. The matter has been formally placed on record for necessary administrative action.
The development comes amid heightened public debate over austerity in Himachal Pradesh. The government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has been facing sustained criticism over expenditure related to political appointees, advisers, chairpersons of boards and corporations, particularly at a time when the state has publicly acknowledged financial constraints.
Opposition voices and pensioners’ associations have questioned expenditure patterns, including vehicle usage, official perks and administrative overheads, especially against the backdrop of delayed employee dues and fiscal restructuring measures. The issue has also reignited past debates involving former Chief Ministers Jai Ram Thakur and Virbhadra Singh regarding salary entitlements and official facilities during their tenures.
Financial indicators underscore the scale of the challenge. Against estimated annual state revenue receipts of approximately Rs 32,000 crore, committed liabilities are reported to be close to Rs 48,000 crore, placing significant pressure on the state’s fiscal management framework.
Adding to the strain, the Union Government is reported to have withheld the 12.7 per cent share from certain central revenue sources, citing Himachal Pradesh’s taxation potential. The move has further intensified the financial squeeze and sharpened the focus on expenditure rationalisation.
In this broader context, Butail’s decision to continue on a token honorarium is being viewed as a symbolic gesture within the ongoing austerity discourse, even as larger structural questions regarding revenue mobilisation, committed expenditure and administrative costs continue to dominate the fiscal narrative in the hill state.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
