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Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said all governments and states should think of adopting the move as it will ensure political stability. (Image: PTI)
There has been large-scale resentment among employees over non-payment of salary and pension on September 1, even as Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu defended the move saying it will help save at least Rs 3 crore monthly and Rs 36 crore annually on interest payment
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday (September 5) said employees have received their salaries, along with some people who received their pension today while other pensioners will do so on September 8.
There has been large-scale resentment among employees over the non-payment of salary on September 1, even as Sukhu on Wednesday (September 4) defended the deferment saying this will help save at least Rs 3 crore every month and Rs 36 crore annually on interest payment.
While announcing in the state assembly that salary will be disbursed on September 5 and pension on September 10, he said the main reason behind late payment of salary and pension is that the government is mapping expenditure and receipts for resource use in a prudent manner.
The chief minister said the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) of Rs 520 crore will be received on September 6 and the share in central taxes amounting to Rs 740 crore on September 10. “Paying salary on first day of every month necessitates borrowing from the market at 7.5 per cent interest and deferring payment of salary will help save about Rs 3 crore every month and Rs 36 crore annually on interest payment,” he told the House.
He further said this arrangement, however, will not be applicable in corporations and boards, who are free to take decisions, keeping in view their resources. According to the borrowing limit, the government can raise loan to the tune of Rs 2,317 crore only, which has to be used judiciously during the next four months, he added.
(With PTI inputs)