Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu
Himachal Pradesh is facing a major economic crisis. The last month’s salary has not yet been deposited in the bank accounts of government employees and pension holders. It is being said that for the first time the salaries of government employees have been stopped. At the same time, the chief minister and ministers will draw their salaries with a two-month delay. It is being said that government employees will be paid till September 10.
Salary and pension will be paid only after receiving a revenue deficit grant of Rs 490 crore from the central government. However, salaries and pensions have been given to the employees and pensioners of the Electricity Board. The government has decided to delay the salaries and allowances of the Chief Minister, Ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet-level advisers and chairmen and vice-chairmen of public sector undertakings for the next two months.
Why did the salary crisis occur in Himachal Pradesh?
Even though the state government is citing natural calamities and other economic challenges, let us explain to you the real reason. Himachal currently has a debt of more than 86 thousand crore rupees. The average debt per citizen is Rs 1 lakh 19 thousand, the highest in the country after Arunachal. A major portion of the government budget is spent on salary-pension and loan repayment, i.e. more than 42 thousand crore rupees out of 58 thousand 444 crore rupees is spent on this item. Government employees and pensioners Rs. There is a debt of more than 10,000 crores.
Now understand the reason for the debt
- Free schemes like 350 units of free electricity, estimated to cost Rs 18000 crore.
- 1500 per month assistance to women. This will also put a heavy burden on the government exchequer.
- Reduction in overdraft limit. There has also been a reduction in the Revenue Deficit Grant i.e. assistance from the government. The government has also made the most of the loan limit.
- GST reimbursement has stopped. The court has declared the water cess unconstitutional and due to this the revenue of around 4000 crore rupees has stopped, so this tragedy is also a reason.
What are the options available to Himachal Government?
The first option to pay the salary is to spend the entire loan limit, but the government will not choose to use this option as it may be needed in an emergency. Another option is to give money from an overdraft account, but there is not enough money in it. Third option, if the revenue deficit grant received from the Center till September 5 is Rs. If it is more than 6 thousand crores, the government can pay the salary from this.
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that after discussion in the cabinet, all the cabinet members have decided that they will neither take salary, nor TA, nor DA for the next 2 months. I have made the same request to my CPS colleagues. He has also said that it will not take up to 2 months.
