Amid a financial crisis, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided not to pay salaries to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and all ministers for the next two months. The Chief Parliamentary Secretary will also not receive a salary during this period. This decision has been made due to the state’s economic situation.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that since June 2022, the state has faced a significant revenue loss due to the halt in GST compensation. This has led to an annual loss of 2,500-3,000 crores for the state. Additionally, the restoration of the old pension scheme has reduced the state’s borrowing capacity by about 2,000 crores. Sukhu acknowledged that overcoming the current economic crisis will not be easy.
Sukh Sukhu mentioned that there has been no assistance from the central government. He explained that the revenue deficit grant for the year 2023-24 was 8,058 crores, but it has been reduced to 6,258 crores this year, showing a shortfall of 1,800 crores. There is a possibility of a 3,000-crore reduction in this grant next year, which will drop it to 3,257 crores. Sukhu also noted the needs following the recent disaster in Himachal, estimating a requirement of 9,042 crores, but no funds have been received from the central government so far.
