Kullu: In a major austerity move to address mounting financial pressure, the Himachal Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has ordered a temporary deferment of salaries for senior bureaucrats. The decision, which comes into effect from April salaries payable in May, aims to streamline fiscal management and ease the state’s financial burden over the next six months.
Major Salary Deferment Announced
The state government has mandated a 30% salary deferment for top-ranking officials, including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP). Additionally, 20% salary deferment will apply to mid-level officers across departments.
The move was formalised through a notification issued by Finance Secretary Ashish Singhmar, citing “prevailing financial circumstances” and the need for “prudent fiscal management.”
Who Will Be Affected
The 30% deferment applies to senior-most officials, including:
- Chief Secretary
- Additional Chief Secretaries
- Principal Secretaries
- Director General of Police (DGP)
- Additional Director Generals of Police (ADG)
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
- Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
The 20% deferment covers:
- Secretaries
- Heads of Departments (HoDs)
- Inspector General of Police (IG)
- Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
- Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
- Police officers up to the rank of SP
- Chief Conservator of Forests
- Conservator of Forests
- Forest officials up to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) level
In total, around 60 department heads and over 200 officers are expected to be impacted by the temporary salary reduction.
Specific Salary Impact
According to the notification:
- About ₹1.10 lakh of the Chief Secretary’s monthly salary will be deferred
- Around ₹1.05 lakh for Additional Chief Secretaries
- Approximately ₹97,500 for Principal Secretaries
- Around ₹60,000 for Secretaries
This deferment will remain in place for six months, starting with April salaries.
Wider Applicability Beyond Bureaucrats
The order is not limited to government officials alone. It will also apply to:
- State boards and corporations
- Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
- Autonomous bodies
- Universities
- Societies receiving grant-in-aid or budgetary support from the state government
This broad implementation ensures a uniform austerity approach across government-linked institutions.
Guidelines for Employees and Deductions
The government has clarified that statutory deductions—including income tax, National Pension System (NPS), and General Provident Fund (GPF)—will continue to be calculated on full salaries, preventing future accounting complications.
For employees repaying loans:
- The deferment will be calculated after deducting loan instalments
- Employees must submit an undertaking to their Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs)
Recent Salary Cuts for Lawmakers
Notably, this move follows a recent decision by the state government to cut salaries of lawmakers, indicating a broader push toward fiscal discipline across all levels of governance.
Expected Financial Impact
The Himachal Pradesh government is expected to save nearly ₹1 crore per month through this temporary salary deferment, providing some relief amid ongoing financial stress.
Conclusion
Described as a temporary measure, the salary deferment underscores the state government’s efforts to stabilise its finances without resorting to drastic structural changes. While it places an immediate burden on senior officials, the move reflects a broader strategy aimed at maintaining fiscal balance during a challenging economic phase.
