Amid Himachal Pradesh’s ongoing financial crisis, Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor (IT) Gokul Butail will continue to receive only a token honorarium of Re 1 this year as well, while also forgoing all other allowances. He has written to the government expressing his decision.
In his letter, Butail has expressed his wish to continue receiving a Re 1 token honorarium for financial year 2026-27. He has also stated that, as in previous years, he does not wish to receive any TA/DA or other admissible allowances. Similarly, Jogindernagar MLA Prakash Rana has also refused to take his honorarium.
Last year too, Butail had decided not to take his monthly salary of Rs 2.50 lakh and allowances. Citing the state’s economic crisis, Gokul took this decision. According to Butail, he has not withdrawn his salary from his bank account since December 2023.
This gesture comes at a time when the state is grappling with severe financial constraints following the Centre’s discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), which constituted 13 percent of the state’s budget. The Finance Department has warned of a Rs 6,000 crore resource gap even after eliminating all development works, and has suggested drastic measures including stopping subsidies, freezing dearness allowance, and potentially discontinuing welfare schemes.
Butail’s decision to work for a token honorarium sets an example of personal sacrifice during the state’s challenging financial period, demonstrating solidarity with the government’s efforts to manage resources during this crisis.
