New Delhi. In the assembly, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has taken a big decision keeping in mind the serious financial condition of the state. He has announced that due to the financial crisis of the state, the payment of salaries and allowances of cabinet colleagues, chief parliamentary secretaries, cabinet rank advisors and chairman-deputy chairmen of public undertakings will be delayed for the next two months. Making his announcement in the House on the third day of the monsoon session of the assembly, Chief Minister Sukhu said, “In view of the poor financial condition of the state, I and all the ministers of my cabinet, chief parliamentary secretaries, cabinet rank advisors, and chairmen and vice-chairmen of public undertakings will delay taking salary and allowances for the next two months.” He said that this decision will save about Rs 1.28 crore, while in the third month, in November, the government will need a lump sum of Rs 2.74 crore to pay the salary and allowances.
#WATCH Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, “After discussing in the cabinet, all the members of the cabinet decided that until the state sees good improvement in the coming times, we will not take any salary, nor TA, nor DA for 2 months… This is just a small… pic.twitter.com/zMpw7hQRtF
— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024
Government concerned about the financial condition of the state
While informing the House about the financial condition of the state, Chief Minister Sukhu said that the revenue deficit grant, which was Rs 8058 crore in the year 2023-24, has reduced by Rs 1800 crore to Rs 6258 crore this year. In the next year (2025-26), it will be reduced by another Rs 3000 crore to Rs 3257 crore. He further informed that out of the amount of about Rs 9042 crore of PDNA of NPS employees, no amount has been received from the Central Government yet. Apart from this, about Rs 9200 crore of NPS contribution has also not been received from PFRDA, for which the state government has requested the Center several times. GST compensation has also not been received since June 2022, due to which the state’s income has decreased by Rs 2500-3000 crore per year.
#WATCH Shimla | Himachal Pradesh Minister & Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh says, “The CM has taken a good initiative to overcome the financial troubles we are facing in the state. We are trying to strengthen the resources in the state – be it through water resources or our… pic.twitter.com/3ZiixxuVJK
— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024
Many big steps taken to raise revenue
Chief Minister Sukhu said that due to restoration of OPS, the borrowing limit has also been reduced by about Rs 2000 crore. It is not easy to deal with these circumstances, but the state government has made efforts to increase income and reduce non-productive expenses. However, the results of these efforts will take time. He also said that the amount spent to fulfill election promises is also playing a big role in the financial crisis of the state. A scheme to give Rs 1500 every month to women has been started, for which an annual budget of Rs 1000 crore has been kept. However, schemes like cow dung and milk purchase, and 300 units of free electricity have not been started yet.
