Addressing reporters, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, however, clarified that the measure is temporary and assured that the deferred amounts would be returned once the financial situation improves.
Facing a severe financial crunch, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced a temporary delay of a portion of salaries across the political executive and senior bureaucracy, with 50 per cent of his own salary, 30 per cent of Deputy CM and cabinet ministers’ salaries, and 20 per cent of MLAs’ salaries to be deferred for the next six months.
Sukhu made the announcement during the presentation of the state budget for the 2026-27 financial year. It comes after the discontinuation of the revenue deficit grant, which has put additional pressure on the state’s finances.
Addressing reporters later, the Himachal CM, however, clarified that the measure is temporary and assured that the deferred amounts would be returned once the financial situation improves. “This is only a temporary deferment, and the amount will be returned as soon as the state’s financial condition improves,” he said.
The delay will also apply to political appointees and top bureaucrats. A 20 per cent cut has been announced for chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of boards and corporations as well as advisors. Among officials, a 30 per cent deferment will apply to the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, the Director General of Police and Additional DGPs.
Furthermore, 20 per cent of salaries of Secretaries, Heads of Departments, IGs, DIGs, SSPs and equivalent ranks will be delayed, while Group A and Group B officers will see a 3 per cent deferment for six months.
Sukhu said that Group C and Group D employees have been exempted from the measure and will continue to receive their full salaries.
Despite the monetary strain, the budget includes multiple relief measures. The monthly salary of non-regularised medical officers has been hiked from Rs 33,600 to Rs 40,000. Meanwhile, the salaries of staff nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists and operation theatre technicians have been rationalised to a flat Rs 25,000.
