Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Protest Delayed Payouts

The Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Welfare Association opposes the government's delay in pension disbursements and warns of protests if the September pension is not paid by October 1. Criticizing the government's priorities, the association demands immediate financial rectifications, citing unpaid dues, and other entitlements.

The Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Welfare Association has criticized the state government's decision to delay the disbursement of pensions until October 9 and warned of protests if September pensions are not released by October 1.

Senior Vice President of the state association and Kangra District President, Suresh Thakur, stressed that pensioners are ready to take to the streets in the first week of October if their dues are not settled by October 1. This announcement comes after the state government delayed the September salaries of government employees and pensions of retirees by five and ten days, respectively.

The monthly expenditure on salaries and pensions stands at Rs 1200 crore and Rs 800 crore. The delay was attributed to the state's receipt of its Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) and share of central taxes, which arrive on the 6th and 10th of each month, necessitating loans to pay salaries and pensions. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu mentioned this during a Vidhan Sabha session on September 4.

The association also demanded immediate payment of revised gratuity, leave encashment, and commutation arrears for employees retired between January 2016 and January 2022, along with the release of three pending dearness allowance (DA) installments. Thakur criticized the government for not reducing its expenses while enforcing austerity measures on pensioners, accusing it of making false announcements of freebies and increasing benefits for ministers and officials.

Further demands include the formation of a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) for pensioners, reinstating the Himcare health insurance scheme, and a special budget provision for settling long-pending medical bills. The association emphasized that they are only asking for their entitled dues, such as the revised pay scale and overdue DA installments, warning that the government's reluctance to resolve the issues could lead to further confrontation.

(With inputs from agencies.)