Himachal govt announces six-month salary deferment for CM, Ministers, MLAs in assembly
Shimla, April 18
The Government of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday announced in the Assembly a temporary deferment of salaries for the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly for six months as part of efforts to manage the state's financial resources.
According to the announcement, made in line with a notification issued by the General Administration Department, the decision has been taken with the approval of the Governor under the provisions of the Constitution of India to ensure prudent fiscal management.
Under the order, 50 per cent of the Chief Minister's salary will be deferred, while 30 per cent of the salaries of the Deputy Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker will be withheld. MLAs will face a 20 per cent deferment in their salaries.
The government clarified that the measure is a deferment and not a deduction, and the withheld amount will be released at a later stage, depending on the financial condition of the state.
To ensure transparency, both payable and deferred components will be reflected in the e-salary system and salary slips. However, statutory deductions, including income tax, will continue to be calculated on the full salary.
The order also includes provisions for those repaying House Building Advances (HBA) or Motor Car Advances (MCA), allowing deferment to be calculated after deduction of loan instalments upon submission of an undertaking.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, some accountability! 👏 In a country where politicians often seem disconnected, this is a welcome step. The CM taking the highest cut at 50% sets the right tone. Hope other states with financial troubles take note.
The order seems well thought out, especially the part about HBA/MCA loans. It shows they considered real-life liabilities of the MLAs. Transparency in the e-salary system is also a good move. Let's see if this improves fiscal discipline.
As someone who follows public policy, this is a prudent short-term measure. However, the key is "deferment," not cut. The money will likely be paid later with interest? The article doesn't clarify. The real test is how they manage expenditures and boost revenue.
Symbolic politics. These salaries are a tiny drop in the state's budget ocean. What about cutting wasteful expenditure on advertisements, unnecessary travel, and consultant fees? That's where the real money is lost. This feels like a headline-grabbing move.
Appreciate the step, but what about the state employees? Are there any austerity measures for the bureaucracy? The financial management should be holistic. Also, hope the 'later stage' for release doesn't mean just before elections! 😅
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.