Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source Internet
Shimla, Oct 15,
Bringing festive cheer ahead of Diwali, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday announced a 3% Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners, to be credited with October salaries and pensions payable in November. The move, benefiting around 2.5 lakh employees and pensioners, comes despite the state’s continuing financial stress.
The Chief Minister said that arrears for the period from April to September 2025 will be credited to employees’ bank accounts this month, while separate orders will be issued for payment of arrears from July 2023 to March 2025. “This announcement comes as a goodwill gesture before the festival season,” he said, while addressing the Biennial General Convention of the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Employees Union in Shimla.
Sukhu also directed the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) to introduce a compensation policy for outsourced employees in case of accidents and to clear all pending promotions within the department. He assured that the government would consider providing One Pension Scheme (OPS) to HPSEBL employees after discussions with union leaders.
Acknowledging the financial challenges, the Chief Minister said the state government inherited a debt burden of Rs. 75,000 crore and employee liabilities worth Rs. 10,000 crore from the previous regime. “If employees are not receiving their benefits today, it is not due to the present government,” he remarked, adding that the central government’s restrictions on borrowing after the restoration of OPS had further constrained finances.
Despite these constraints, the government has released Rs. 2,200 crore for employee benefits. Between 2023 and September 2025, pensioners have received Rs. 662.81 crore towards gratuity, medical reimbursements, leave encashment, and pension arrears, with another Rs. 70 crore to be released by year-end. The Chief Minister said the medical reimbursement system has been centralized, ensuring weekly disbursements with no pending dues.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the government’s reform agenda across education, healthcare, and rural economy, mentioning technological upgrades such as PET scans, 3-Tesla MRI machines, and robotic surgeries at Chamiana Hospital and Tanda Medical College. He said an investment of Rs. 3,000 crore is being made in modern medical technology.
Sukhu said the government is committed to strengthening the rural economy by procuring milk at higher rates and offering support prices for crops such as wheat, maize, barley, and raw turmeric grown through natural farming.
While releasing the Employees Union’s souvenir at the event, the Chief Minister reiterated that the 3% DA hike, along with pending arrear payments, marks the government’s commitment to employee welfare even in challenging economic circumstances — a Diwali gift aimed at bringing relief to thousands of households across Himachal Pradesh.
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