Good news for state government employees. The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board has released the pending arrears of the new pay scale to around three thousand pensioners aged 75 and above. In celebration of Makar Sankranti, the Board management allocated 44 crores to settle these outstanding payments. Additionally, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has directed the payment of overdue bills for the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Jal Shakti Department.
Previously, the State Electricity Board had disbursed nine crores to pensioners. A few months back, the Chief Minister announced that all arrears for pensioners over 75 years old would be paid. As part of this initiative, the Board has transferred 77.5 percent of the revised pay scale arrears, effective from January 1, 2016, into the pensioners’ bank accounts.
Electricity Board Chairman Sanjay Gupta stated that the pending arrears have been released in accordance with government directives, specifically benefiting retired employees over the age of 75. The 77.5 percent of the revised pay scale arrears had been pending for these pensioners, with an earlier release of 9 crores following government instructions.
He mentioned that the overdue payments for the new pay scale will soon be distributed to other pensioners and employee-officers. Additionally, after directing the payment of outstanding bills for the PWD and Jal Shakti departments, the Chief Minister stated that once the budget is allocated, the projects should be completed on time.
CM emphasizes effective measures for financial discipline
The Chief Minister highlighted that the current government has implemented significant measures to promote financial discipline during its two-year term. While overseeing a review meeting of the Finance Department in Shimla, he discussed various topics including e-distribution, budgeting, expenditures, and treasury management. The CM emphasized that the government is committed to achieving optimal financial management to facilitate system transformation.
During the review, the CM examined details concerning the financial status, resources, and loans associated with the Energy Department, Electricity Board, Himachal Pradesh Energy Corporation Limited, and other related entities.
