Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India]: Jairam Thakur, the Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, on Wednesday accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of shirking his responsibilities as the state government failed to ensure timely payment of salaries to its employees this month.
“As long as I was Chief Minister, salaries and pensions were paid on time. Now the current CM is running away from his responsibilities,” Thakur told media.
He added that the Congress government in the state could not be trusted when it blamed the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration and the Centre for the state’s current financial troubles.
“It’s too late to talk about financial discipline now. They are blaming the previous state government and the current central government for their shortcomings. Who will believe them?” he said.
Thakur further stated that if state government employees receive their pensions and salaries, it would be thanks to the central government. He noted that Rs 550 crore in revenue deficit grants from the Centre would be received on 6 September, after which the government would be able to pay its employees.
“On 10 September, our share of central taxes will be allocated, after which the government will be able to pay pensions. Amidst all this, they will exhaust the limit of loans that can be taken for the treasury,” he added.
The delay in disbursing salaries to employees of the state secretariat has caused anxiety, prompting them to send a letter to the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Finance, demanding immediate payment. The employees argue that the delay is causing financial strain and preventing them from meeting their monthly obligations.
Earlier, during a session of the Himachal Assembly, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu acknowledged the state’s financial struggles, announcing a two-month deferment of salaries for himself, ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS), and MLAs. However, he later claimed there was no financial crisis, contradicting his earlier statement.
Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur criticised the situation, stating, “Rahul Gandhi’s fake guarantees have been exposed in Himachal Pradesh. Other states should also learn a lesson from this.”
Thakur further highlighted the inconsistency in the government’s statements, noting that the opposition had sought a discussion in the House on the economic situation but claimed the government was not treating the issue with the seriousness it deserved.