Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is currently going through economic challenges and the government has to take tough decisions to handle the situation. In this context, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has taken a big step and decided to stop the salary portion of ministers and senior officials including himself for some time. The purpose of this decision is to balance the financial position of the state.
Presenting the budget for the financial year 2026-27, the Chief Minister announced that a part of the salary will be postponed for the next six months. Under this, the Chief Minister will take 50 percent of his salary later. 30 percent of the salaries of Deputy Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers, while 20 percent of the salaries of MLAs will be stopped for the time being. The government says that as soon as the economic situation improves, this amount will be returned.
Economic pressure became the reason
This pressure on the state increased further when the revenue deficit grant stopped. For this reason the government had to take new measures to control its expenses. The Chief Minister clarified that this step is temporary and has been taken only to handle the current situation.
Impact on officers and advisors also
This decision is not limited to political positions only, but will also apply to senior officials and advisors.
There will be a 20 percent delay in the salaries of chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and consultants of boards and corporations. At the same time, 30 percent of the salary of senior officers like Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary and Director General of Police will be withheld.
A separate percentage of deduction has been kept for some officers. There will be a 20 percent delay in the salaries of secretary level officers, department heads and senior police officers (IG, DIG, SSP). Only 3 percent of the salary of Group A and Group B employees will be withheld for six months. However, the government has completely kept Group C and Group D employees out of this decision, due to which they will continue to get their full salary.
Efforts were also made to provide relief
Despite the financial crisis, the government has also tried to provide relief to many sections. The salary of temporary medical officers has been increased from Rs 33,600 to Rs 40,000. The salary of staff nurse, lab technician, pharmacist and operation theater technician has been equalized and fixed at Rs 25,000.
Benefits to laborers and Anganwadi workers
The wages of daily wage workers have been increased by Rs 25. Apart from this, the honorarium of Anganwadi workers, helpers and Asha workers has been increased by Rs 1,000 every month. Mid-day meal workers, water protectors, Panchayat watchmen and other support staff will also be given an additional Rs 500 per month.
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