BJP slams Congress Government over salary delay and fiscal mismanagement

Dharamshala, September 2, 2024: The Himachal Pradesh BJP has strongly criticized the Congress government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, for what it describes as an unprecedented delay in the disbursement of salaries and pensions to state employees. Advocate Vishwa Chakshu, the BJP State Media Co-Incharge and former Chief Minister's Media Coordinator, expressed concern over the delay, noting that this is the first time in the state's history that government employees have not received their salaries on time.

Speaking to the media, Chakshu highlighted that even by the second of the month, many employees are still waiting for their salaries and pensions, which are typically dispersed on the first day of every month. According to reports from government sources, this delay could extend by as much as a week, adding to the anxiety and frustration among the state’s workforce.
Chakshu did not mince words, accusing Chief Minister Sukhu of prioritizing the financial interests of his close associates over the well-being of state employees. He claimed that while Sukhu's administration is freely increasing the salaries and allowances of his allies, it has failed to address the pressing needs of government employees, many of whom are struggling due to the delayed payments.

The BJP leader also took aim at the state’s growing debt, alleging that the Congress government has burdened Himachal Pradesh with nearly ₹90,000 crores in debt in just a few months. He pointed out that pensioners have been forced to take to the streets, demanding their rightful dues and the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), reflecting the deepening dissatisfaction among government employees.

Chakshu further criticized the Chief Minister for inconsistent statements regarding the state’s financial health, accusing him of mismanagement. "One day he says the government treasury is empty, and the next he claims the situation is under control. The public deserves an explanation for this mismanagement," he stated.
 
He also questioned the formation of what he called an "unconstitutional" array of CPS (Chief Parliamentary Secretaries), cabinet-rank officials, and vice-presidents, which he argues only adds to the state's financial burden.

Chakshu warned that if the Congress government does not take immediate steps to address the fiscal mismanagement and restore the timely disbursement of salaries and pensions, the BJP will be forced to take to the streets in protest. "The BJP is prepared to stand up for the interests of the state and its employees. We will not shy away from agitation if the situation does not improve soon," he concluded.