Addressing the quarterly meeting of the Himachal Pensioners United Front, Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, emphasized that the fight for pensioners’ rights should be seen through the lens of collective welfare rather than political considerations.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with the veteran community, praising their lifelong service to the state and nation. He noted that even after retirement, pensioners’ continued advocacy for their rights reflects their resilience and dedication.
Chauhan highlighted that this forum provides a crucial platform for raising concerns of lakhs of pensioners across the state, from Rohru and Jubbal-Kotkhai to Mandi. He urged pensioner organizations to maintain unity, emphasizing that their strength lies in solidarity. He assured that the government acknowledges their long-standing grievances and is committed to resolving them systematically.
Reflecting on the state’s finances, Chauhan pointed out that the current administration inherited a challenging financial legacy with significant liabilities, including pending arrears under the Sixth Pay Commission for both employees and pensioners. He explained that while the state has received special grants and Revenue Deficit Grants (RDG) from the Centre, several previous announcements were made without sufficient financial provisions, requiring corrective measures and policy adjustments by the present government.
Chauhan also stressed the importance of RDG for hilly states like Himachal Pradesh and noted that the government has actively engaged with the Centre, even convening a special assembly session to address these financial challenges. To strengthen the state’s economy, he highlighted measures such as the open auction of liquor vends, which generated an additional ₹460 crore in the first year, and the firm protection of the state’s water resource rights.
Defending the government’s pro-employee policies, Chauhan described the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) as a landmark decision motivated by respect for employees’ futures rather than political gains. He clarified that if this were purely political, it would have been delayed until the election year. Regarding pending arrears, he informed that payments are being released in phases, starting with pensioners over 75 years, and now prioritizing those over 70. He assured that as the state’s finances stabilize, all remaining demands will be systematically addressed.
Concluding his address, Chauhan pledged to facilitate a high-level meeting between a delegation of the Pensioners United Front and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to ensure that pensioners’ concerns are directly heard at the highest level.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
