Government Actions Not Hinting Towards Economic Revival
Rakesh Sharma
(The writer is based at Jaswan, Kangra)
The public heard much about Himachal’s weakening economic condition during recently held state assembly election campaigns. And there is no end to this discussion even after declaration of results and formation of the new government. New Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh is constantly giving statements about poor economic condition of the state and empty coffers of Chief Minister Relief Fund. On the other hand, ruling party legislatures termed Vidhan Sabha session at Tapovan in Dharamshala as a wastage of public exchequer.
Both the things are true and curbing wasteful expenditure of public exchequer is duty of the state government. More than Rs. 45000 crore debt on Himachal is an impediment for development of the state. About forty percent of state’s budget is spent on salary and pension of government employees and 20% on payment of loans and interest. Therefore only 40% of the amount of total budget is left for developmental and other activities. It is too less for a hill state with such tough geographical conditions. However initiatives need to be taken to mend state’s economic conditions. Decisions taken by the new government in its initial Cabinet meetings do not point towards economic reforms. In fact it indicates that they are completely unaware of real ground realities. One such big decision taken is related to giving economic and seniority benefits to ex-army personnel of their army service in the state government job. In simpler words it could be understood like this. Let us consider that a person serves in army for 16 years and then gets a state government job. In this case he will directly get 16 increments and his salary increases to a greater extent as compared to what his counterpart serving at the same post is getting. The Supreme Court had given a verdict against this system. But despite that state government took decision against supreme court ruling. This decision is beneficial to a section of employees that receives pension from their old service and also has the facility of free treatment in all government and top private hospitals.
There is a big section of employees that gets government job after 30 years and that too on a contract period of about three to four years. They have to wait for another two years to get full grade pay. The pension one gets on retirement under new pension scheme is meager and the government does not provide any medical facility during contractual period. The state government employees play a vital role in formation of new government. They are waiting for revival of old pension scheme, 4-9-14 benefits and implementation of seventh pay commission recommendations.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘Divya Himachal TV’. Also, Download our Android App
