Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced that government employees will receive their pending dearness allowance (DA) payment before Diwali. He made the announcement while addressing a public meeting at Kansa Maidan in the Balh assembly constituency of Mandi district.
During the public meeting, Sukhu referred to the financial liabilities pending for government employees and said employees may be justified in raising their demands through protests, but they should also keep the interests of the state in mind. He announced that the DA would be paid before Diwali.
In August, the Himachal Pradesh Joint Employees Federation had raised the issue of pending DA with the Chief Minister and demanded the release of at least one instalment of 5 percent DA.
The issue of DA has remained an important financial matter for Himachal Pradesh government employees. In August, the employees' federation had claimed that around 16 percent DA was pending. The organisation had urged the government to release at least one 5 percent DA instalment during the Assembly session.
Following the Chief Minister's announcement, the amount of the instalment and the date on which the government completes the formal payment process will determine the financial benefit to employees.
During his Mandi visit, the Chief Minister also announced several measures related to development and administrative infrastructure in the Balh area.
Sukhu announced the opening of a CBSE school at Gurukotha. He also announced the establishment of divisional offices of the Jal Shakti Department and the Electricity Department. A DSP office was also announced for the area.
The Chief Minister announced an immediate allocation of Rs 3 crore for improvement of roads in the Balh area.
During the public meeting, Sukhu also announced changes related to the 'Sukhi Parivar' scheme. He said that the eligibility limit for one day's MGNREGA wage and annual income under the scheme would be set at Rs 75,000.
Further details on the new criteria and beneficiary eligibility are to be clarified through detailed guidelines from the concerned department.
The Chief Minister's visit to Mandi took place on September 26 as part of a pre-scheduled programme. According to the programme issued by the district administration, Sukhu was scheduled to reach Kansa Maidan in the Balh assembly constituency and participate in the inauguration and foundation-stone laying programmes for various development works.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan had also provided information regarding the visit.
Ahead of the Balh visit, farmer organisations had also prepared to place their demands before the Chief Minister. The Himachal Kisan Union said it would welcome the Chief Minister and raise several demands concerning the area.
These included markets and minimum support price for farmers, channelisation of the Suketi Khad, a tomato-based food processing unit, issues related to farmers' loans, filling vacant posts in the Agriculture Department and other local development works.
During the public meeting, Sukhu also made political comments concerning the previous BJP government in the state and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur. He accused the previous government of putting the state under a debt burden and alleged regional disparities in development works.
The Chief Minister also claimed that there was factionalism within the BJP. These were political statements made by Sukhu and are presented as his statements.
Sukhu also commented on the Central government and BJP MPs from Himachal Pradesh. He raised questions concerning the Agniveer scheme and issues related to the interests of the state.
He also referred to local politics in the Balh area and expressed support for former MLA Prakash Chaudhary. The political claims made during the public meeting require separate verification against relevant facts and official records.
The announcement on DA payment comes as employee organisations have been engaging with the government over financial benefits and pending liabilities.
In August, the employees' federation had warned that if positive action was not taken on their demands, the organisation would consider its further strategy. The organisation had said that it would pursue its movement through democratic and peaceful means.
The government has also taken decisions in September concerning financial benefits for pensioners. An order has been issued for the release of the remaining 30 percent of pension arrears for retired Class III employees who retired between 2016 and 2022 and for the related family pensioners.
For retired Class I and Class II employees from the same period and family pensioners, an additional 15 percent arrears has been provided for release.
Along with the announcement of the DSP office, the Chief Minister announced measures concerning the administrative infrastructure of Balh, including a CBSE school and divisional offices of the Jal Shakti and Electricity departments.
Implementation of these announcements will require departmental approvals, budgetary arrangements, buildings and other necessary infrastructure.
Health-related programmes were also included in the Chief Minister's Mandi visit. The visit programme included information about the inauguration of a 3-Tesla MRI facility and a tertiary care cancer centre at Nerchowk Medical College.
The announcement of DA payment before Diwali is among the key announcements made for Himachal Pradesh government employees during the visit. The actual financial benefit will depend on the employee's salary, the applicable DA instalment and the formal orders issued by the government.
The payment date, instalment rate and detailed information about eligible employees will become clear after the government issues the formal order.
The Balh visit also included announcements concerning a DSP office, a CBSE school, divisional offices of government departments and Rs 3 crore for road improvement. Their implementation will depend on the execution of the respective projects and the timelines set by the concerned departments.
