Shimla, June 19,
Fulfilling long-standing dues, the Himachal Pradesh Government has announced that it will release 50% of the balance arrears to government pensioners and family pensioners aged 70 years and above by the end of June 2025. These arrears pertain to the revision of pension and family pension effective from January 1, 2016.
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An Office Memorandum issued by the Finance (Pension) Department on Wednesday outlines that this fresh release will take the cumulative payout to 70% of the total arrears due to eligible pensioners. Earlier, various tranches had already been released through memorandums dated September 17, 2022, March 13, 2024, August 28, 2024, and October 19, 2024.
“This release pertains to 50% of the balance arrears, which translates to 30% of the total pension/family pension arrears,” the memorandum states. It clarifies that the payment will be strictly limited to government pensioners and family pensioners who have attained the age of 70 years or more as of June 2025.
The memorandum, signed by Devesh Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary (Finance), further directs all Pension Disbursing Authorities (PDAs)—including banks and public sector entities—to ensure that no excess amount is paid. Any prior excess payments, if recoverable, are to be adjusted from the fresh release of arrears before disbursal.
The responsibility for smooth implementation has been placed squarely on the PDAs. They must ensure that arrears, as detailed, are properly calculated and paid out within the stipulated time.
This announcement comes as a welcome relief to elderly pensioners who have been waiting nearly a decade for full settlement of their dues arising from the 2016 pension revision. The move is also seen as a gesture of support to senior citizens amid growing financial pressures, especially in a state facing fiscal constraints.
All administrative departments and concerned divisional commissioners—particularly in Shimla, Mandi, and Kangra—have been notified to take appropriate action to ensure timely execution of the order.
