In a major relief ahead of Diwali, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday announced a 3% pending Dearness Allowance (DA) hike for state government employees. The announcement was made during the State Electricity Board Employees Union’s general convention held at Peterhof, Shimla.
The Chief Minister confirmed that arrears from April to September 2025 will be credited to employees’ bank accounts before Diwali. The revised DA will reflect in the October salary and pension, payable in November. Additionally, the government will soon issue a separate notification regarding the pending DA arrears for the period between July 2023 and March 2025.
Sukhu also assured that outsourced employees injured on duty will now be eligible for government compensation, pending promotions will be expedited, and the government will soon decide on implementing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and other employee welfare measures within the power board. The Chief Minister further announced that charge sheets issued against certain employees would be withdrawn.
Speaking at the event, Trilok Thakur, President of the Himachal Pradesh Non-Gazetted Employees Federation, thanked the Chief Minister for his employee-friendly approach. He said that including the 3% DA in the October salary and releasing arrears before Diwali reflects the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare. The Federation also urged the government to issue the notification soon so that employees receive their benefits on time.
Senior representatives, including General Secretary Rajeev Chauhan, Vice President Ravindra Mehta, and regional heads from Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla, were also present at the convention. The Federation appreciated the Chief Minister’s proactive stance, calling it a motivating and encouraging gesture for government employees across Himachal Pradesh.
