Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, September 8
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced that the state government will withdraw a controversial notification linked to higher grade pay, following strong opposition from employee unions. The notification, issued recently, had triggered protests among staff who argued it would reduce their salaries by ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per month. On Saturday, union leaders met the Chief Minister in Shimla, demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Chief Minister Sukhu assured them that the notification would be rolled back and no existing employee would face salary cuts. However, he clarified that in future appointments, new employees would not be entitled to additional increments under the higher grade pay rider. He added that increments already given would not be withdrawn. “The state government is committed to protecting the interests of employees. No one will suffer financial losses, but future appointments will be made under revised terms,” the Chief Minister said.
Employee representatives welcomed the assurance but said they would continue their sit-in in Shimla until formal withdrawal orders were issued. “We are waiting for the notification to be cancelled officially. Until then, we will remain here,” union leader Pradeep Thakur said.
Meanwhile, Secretariat staff have also declared a decisive fight against the government’s decision. At a meeting in the Secretariat complex, leaders of the Secretariat Services Employees’ Association called the notification “anti-worker” and warned of a large-scale agitation if the withdrawal was not formalised.
