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BJP Walks Out of Himachal Assembly Over Unpaid 11% DA

The chief minister says strained finances after restoring the Old Pension Scheme prevent an immediate payout.

Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during monsoon session in Shimla on Thursday. (File)
Photo: IANS

Overview

  • Opposition members protested during question hour and exited the House after receiving no date for releasing the pending dearness allowance.
  • BJP MLA Satpal Singh Satti pressed for the overdue 11 percent installment as colleagues accused the government of reneging on a budget pledge to pay from May.
  • Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said payment is a government responsibility but cannot proceed until the fiscal position improves.
  • He attributed the delay to financial restrictions linked to the Old Pension Scheme and a drop in revenue deficit grants, citing a roughly Rs 4,800 crore hit over three years and grants falling from about Rs 11,000 crore to Rs 3,200 crore.
  • Sukhu said some arrears are being cleared, including payments to pensioners over 70, as BJP leaders also alleged long-pending medical reimbursements for employees.