Himachal Pension Crisis: CM Sukhu Sets 30-Day Deadline to Clear Pensioners’ Medical Reimbursement Bills

The escalating Himachal Pension crisis has seen a major breakthrough. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has intervened, announcing a strict timeline to resolve the immediate hardship faced by retired government employees over delayed medical payments.² The move comes amidst intense pressure and public protests staged by the state’s Pensioners Joint Front.³

The Official Announcement: CM Sukhu’s 30-Day Commitment

On Monday, while addressing a delegation of the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Front, CM Sukhu made the key announcement:

“The State Government will clear all pending medical reimbursement bills of pensioners within the next one month.”⁴

Action Plan & Rationale

The Chief Minister asserted that employees and pensioners are the “backbone of the government” and that providing them with social and financial security is a top priority.⁵

• Directive: All concerned departments have been instructed to fast-track the processing of these bills.

• Commitment Proof: CM Sukhu repeatedly cited the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which has benefited 1.36 lakh employees, as the primary evidence of his government’s commitment to employee welfare.⁶

Political Blame Game: Congress vs. BJP on Financial Crisis

The issue of financial delays has transformed into a highly charged political battleground, with both major parties trading accusations.⁷

CM Sukhu’s Defense: Blaming “Financial Mismanagement”

The Chief Minister squarely blamed the state’s severe financial crisis and the delay in payments on the “financial mismanagement” during the previous BJP government tenure.⁸

• Inherited Liability: Sukhu stated that his government inherited liabilities worth over ₹10,000 crore, specifically for arrears in revised salaries and pensions.⁹

• Arrears Clearance: He informed that the government has already cleared substantial arrears for the oldest pensioners (e.g., those above 75 years of age).¹⁰

Opposition Counter-Attack: Jai Ram Thakur’s “False Assurances” Allegation

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur, rejected the announcement, calling it another round of “false assurances” that the government has been giving for three years.¹¹

• Key Criticism: Thakur alleged that not a single rupee has been released for medical treatment in reality, leaving elderly pensioners distressed.¹²

• Protest Context: He highlighted the massive rally staged by the pensioners in Dharamshala, arguing that it proves the government has failed to take concrete action.¹³

Beyond Medical Bills: Pensioners’ Full Demands

While the Medical Reimbursement deadline offers immediate relief, the Pensioners Joint Front has a broader list of long-pending financial demands that contribute to the ongoing Himachal Pension Crisis.¹⁴

Dearness Relief (DR) Arrears and Dues

• DR Instalments: Immediate release of all pending instalments of Dearness Relief (DR).

• Superannuated Dues: Clearance of arrears for employees who retired between 2016 and 2022.

OPS Status and Central Funding Constraints

The CM reiterated that the OPS will continue despite the financial pressure.¹⁵ However, he noted that the Central Government has withheld the state’s additional borrowing limit (approx.¹⁶ ₹1,600 crore) and the return of nearly ₹10,000 crore contributed to the National Pension System (NPS), which is delaying the full clearance of all pensioners’ arrears.

The Road Ahead: A Critical Credibility Test for the Government

The 30-day deadline (expected to be met by January 8, 2026) places the Sukhu government under intense scrutiny. The timely clearance of the medical reimbursement bills is vital to restore the trust of pensioners and mitigate the political damage caused during the winter assembly session. The political climate suggests that any failure to meet this commitment will fuel a renewed and more aggressive agitation across Himachal Pradesh.

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