Opposition Slams Himachal Pradesh Government Over Salary Delays

Leader of the Opposition in Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur, has accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of neglecting responsibilities as government delays salary payments. Thakur criticized the state’s financial management and attributed potential payments to central government aid.

Jairam Thakur, the Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, criticized Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday, accusing him of shirking responsibilities as the state government failed to ensure timely salary payments to its employees this month. Thakur remarked, "As long as I was Chief Minister, salaries and pensions were paid on time. Now the current CM is running away from his responsibilities."

Thakur further condemned the Congress government's credibility when it blamed the previous BJP administration and the Centre for the state's financial woes. "It's too late to talk about financial discipline now. They are blaming the previous state government and the current central government for their shortcomings. Who will believe them?" he stated.

Highlighting financial dependencies, Thakur stated that employee pensions and salaries would be paid only because of the central government's assistance. He cited an expected Rs 550 crore in revenue deficit grants from the Centre on 6 September and the allocation of central taxes on 10 September as sources for these payments. Thakur also mentioned that this financial strain would push the government to exhaust its borrowing limits.

The salary payment delay has caused anxiety among state secretariat employees, prompting them to demand immediate payment in a letter to the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Finance. The delay reportedly hampers their ability to meet monthly obligations. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu acknowledged the financial struggles during a Himachal Assembly session, announcing a two-month salary deferment for himself and other officials, only to later deny a financial crisis.

Jairam Thakur criticized this inconsistency, citing "Rahul Gandhi's fake guarantees have been exposed in Himachal Pradesh" and called for other states to learn from this. Thakur reiterated that the Opposition sought a serious discussion on the economic situation in the House, but claimed the government failed to address it appropriately.

(With inputs from agencies.)