Shimla: The Sukhu-led government in Himachal Pradesh is facing a growing economic challenge as more than 15,000 state employees have not received their salaries for the month of May. Typically, salaries are disbursed on the first day of the month across most departments, boards, and corporations.
However, even on June 13, some outsourced employees in departments such as Forest Corporation, Labor and Employment, Medical College, and Jal Shakti, as well as those in the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), have not received their salaries, causing discontent among staff members.
The Himachal Pradesh treasury is currently in an overdraft of Rs 1,000 crore. Although the government has applied for a loan of Rs 800 crore, even after this amount is deposited, the treasury will still have an overdraft of Rs 200 crore. Consequently, employees in various boards, corporations, and departments are facing delays in salary disbursement.
The HRTC alone has around 12,000 employees eagerly awaiting their salaries, and when combined with other departments, the total number of affected employees surpasses 15,000. This situation has arisen within just six months of the new government assuming power in the state.
Implications of the Financial Crisis
This development raises concerns about the future, particularly because the current fiscal year requires the repayment of approximately Rs 11,000 crore in old loans and interest. Furthermore, the central government has reduced Himachal Pradesh’s loan limit from 5% to 3.5% of the GDP. As a result, the state government will only be eligible for a loan of approximately Rs 9,000 crore this time.
Liabilities Mount for Employees, Pensioners, and Contractors
Additionally, the government is grappling with liabilities amounting to Rs 16,000 crore from employees, pensioners, and PWD contractors. Employee and pensioner dues stand at approximately Rs 10,000 crore, while PWD contractors are owed more than Rs 6,000 crore. This situation poses further challenges for the Sukhu government on the economic front.
Employees Express Concerns over Salary Delays – Gupta
Khamendra Gupta, Secretary of the HRTC’s Joint Action Coordination Committee, expressed the employees’ distress over the non-payment of salaries. He demanded immediate salary disbursement from the Managing Director and urged the government to address the issue promptly.
