The Himachal Pradesh government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare and financial security of pensioners, outlining a phased plan to clear pending salary and pension arrears amid fiscal constraints.
Speaking at a programme organised by the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Front in Ghumarwin, Bilaspur district, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Pensioners’ Day was an occasion to acknowledge the contribution of retired employees in strengthening the state’s administrative system and public institutions.
The government highlighted the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme as one of its early decisions, taken despite inheriting a debt burden of Rs 75,000 crore. The move has provided long-term security to around 1.36 lakh employees. Salary and pension arrears pending from the previous administration are being cleared in a structured and phased manner.
As per the update shared, pensioners aged 75 years and above have received full payment of their pension and family pension arrears. Those above 70 years have been paid 70 per cent of their arrears, with the remaining amount to be released shortly. Pensioners in the 65–70 age bracket have received 38 per cent of their dues, while those below 65 years have been paid 35 per cent. Gratuity arrears for employees who retired between 2016 and 2021 have also been settled.
On salary arrears, fixed amounts have been released across employee categories, with additional payments made to Class-IV staff. The government said it has spent Rs 2,155 crore so far on clearing arrears of employees and pensioners, and that remaining liabilities will be addressed as the state’s revenue position improves.
All pension arrears are targeted to be fully cleared by 2027, with further measures for pensioners expected in the upcoming state budget. During the event, the Mandi unit of the Pensioners Joint Front contributed Rs 1 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Several ministers, former legislators and representatives of pensioners’ associations attended the programme.
