Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced that all pending pension arrears in Himachal Pradesh will be fully cleared by the year 2027, reaffirming his government’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners and serving employees despite serious fiscal constraints.
Addressing a state-level function of the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Front at Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district, the Chief Minister said Pensioners’ Day was not merely a ceremonial occasion but an opportunity to honour the honesty, dedication and sacrifices of retired employees who laid the foundations of the state’s administrative system.
He said pensioners continue to play an important role in strengthening governance and setting an example of discipline and public service for future generations.
Sukhu said that immediately after assuming office, the state government restored the Old Pension Scheme in its first Cabinet meeting, despite inheriting a debt burden of about Rs. 75,000 crore from the previous BJP government. He said the decision has provided dignity, security and confidence to nearly 1.36 lakh employees.
The Chief Minister added that the present government was systematically clearing a large backlog of salary and pension arrears left by the previous regime.
Giving details, he said pension and family pension arrears of beneficiaries aged 75 years and above have been paid in full on priority, while those above 70 years have received 70 per cent of their arrears, with the remaining amount to be paid within 40 days. Pensioners in the 65–70 age group have been paid 38 per cent arrears, and those below 65 years have received 35 per cent, with the current government bearing a significantly higher share of payments compared to the previous regime.
He also informed that 20 per cent gratuity arrears have been paid to employees who retired between January 2016 and December 2021.
On salary arrears, Sukhu said the government has paid instalments of Rs 50,000 to Class I to Class III employees and Rs 60,000 to Class IV employees, besides an additional Rs 20,000 paid to Class IV staff in October 2024. He said that so far, the state government has spent Rs 2,155 crore on clearing arrears of employees and pensioners.
The Chief Minister further announced a key reform for Class IV employees by granting the benefit of one year of qualifying service for pension calculation in lieu of five years of daily-wage service. He also assured that pending medical reimbursement bills of pensioners would be cleared and that, as the state’s revenue position improves, remaining arrears and liabilities would be settled as a priority. He appealed to pensioners to support the government’s efforts to stabilise the state’s finances, assuring them that the upcoming budgets would include decisions in their interest.
On the occasion, the Pensioners Joint Front presented a cheque of Rs one lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Sukhu also spoke about ongoing systemic reforms and said a policy was being considered for families displaced by the Bhakra Dam project in Bilaspur. Criticising the Centre, he alleged that BJP leaders were not presenting correct figures regarding financial assistance to Himachal Pradesh and that the state’s interests were being ignored.
Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani said development projects worth Rs 69 crore had been dedicated to the Ghumarwin area and praised the Chief Minister for maintaining fiscal discipline while implementing welfare schemes.