Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced temporary salary deferrals for ministers and senior officials as part of measures to address the state’s serious financial crisis.
Presenting the state budget, the Chief Minister said that difficult but necessary steps were being taken to maintain financial balance without disrupting essential services. Under the plan, 30 percent of the salaries of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and other ministers will be deferred for the next six months.
Similarly, salaries of MLAs will be deferred by 20 percent during the same period. Chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, advisors, OSDs, the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, and Principal Secretaries of all boards and corporations will see 30 percent of their salaries deferred for six months.
Sukhu further stated that Secretaries to Heads of Departments will have 30 percent of their salaries deferred. For police officials, 30 percent of the salaries of the DGP and Additional DGP will be deferred, while officers from IG to SP will have 20 percent deferred. In the Forest Department, the Head of Forest Force, PCCF, Additional PCCF, and officers up to DFO rank will also see 20 percent of their salaries deferred for six months.
Group-II gazetted officers will have up to 30 percent of their salaries deferred, while Group C and Group D employees will continue to receive full pay. All boards, corporations, and autonomous institutions have been instructed to follow these government directives.
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