The matter was raised by BJP MLA Satpal Singh Satti, who pointed out that 11 per cent DA was due and demanded to know when the government would release it.
Photo: IANS
The issue of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners created uproar in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Thursday, leading to loud protests and a walkout by Opposition members during the question hour.
The matter was raised by BJP MLA Satpal Singh Satti, who pointed out that 11 per cent DA was due and demanded to know when the government would release it.
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Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu responded by saying releasing the DA was the government’s duty as well as responsibility, but the current financial condition of the state did not permit immediate payment. He assured that the installment would be released as soon as the fiscal situation improved.
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BJP MLA Bikram Thakur countered by reminding the House that the chief minister had announced in his budget speech that the DA installment would be released in May. He accused the government of repeatedly misleading employees.
In his reply, the chief minister clarified that he had already stated both in the budget and in written responses that DA would be given as per the announcement. After implementing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), the Centre imposed several financial restrictions, resulting in a cumulative loss of nearly Rs 4,800 crore to the state in three years, he added.
He further said that he had also raised the matter with the Union finance minister, who made it clear that as long as OPS continued, no change would be made in this policy.
Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur accused the Congress government of deceiving employees, claiming that while the previous BJP government had assured workers it was exploring ways to restore OPS, the Congress came to power promising to implement it in the first cabinet meeting.
He alleged that despite portraying itself as employee-friendly, the Congress government failed to release DA and reimburse medical bills.
Responding, the chief minister said it was the present government that paid the pending 11 percent DA left unpaid by the previous BJP regime. He argued that while the former government implemented the new pay commission, it failed to clear arrears of Rs 10,000 crore.
At that time, he added, Himachal received Rs 11,000 crore from the Centre in revenue deficit grant, which has now dropped to Rs 3,200 crore. Arrears were being cleared gradually, with payments already made to pensioners above 70 years of age, he added.
Not satisfied with the reply, BJP members stormed into the Well of the House, shouting slogans. Despite repeated appeals from Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to maintain order, the Opposition continued with its protest.
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