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Hamirpur, August 15
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the state-level Independence Day celebration at Barsar in Hamirpur on Saturday, where he was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival. For the first time, Haryana Police personnel also participated in the Independence Day parade.
Addressing the gathering, CM Sukhu highlighted the contribution of government employees and retired officers to Himachal Pradesh’s development. He said the state government has always remained committed to the welfare of employees and pensioners.
The Chief Minister said the previous government had left liabilities of more than Rs 10,000 crore in salary and pension arrears before the present government came to power. Despite the state’s difficult financial condition, the government has paid more than Rs 2,170 crore in salary and pension arrears to employees and pensioners so far.
Sukhu announced that Class-IV employees will receive an additional ₹20,000 towards their salary arrears this month. Retired Class-III pensioners and family pensioners who retired between 2016 and December 2021 will receive an additional 35 per cent of their pension or family pension arrears this month.
Similarly, Class-I and Class-II pensioners and family pensioners will receive 15 per cent of their pension or family pension arrears this month. The government will spend around Rs 281 crore on these arrear payments.
The Chief Minister also announced that 4,000 posts in various categories will be filled in the Jal Shakti Department.
In another significant announcement, Sukhu said that no doctor in the state will retire until March 31, 2027.
The announcements were made during the state-level Independence Day celebrations at Barsar, where the Chief Minister also reviewed the parade and addressed the gathering.
Yog Raj Sharma
