Spent Rs 2,155 crore so far on clearing salary, pension and gratuity arrears of employees, pensioners: Sukhu

Reiterating the government’s commitment to employee welfare, Sukhu said the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) was restored in the very first Cabinet meeting after assuming office, despite inheriting a debt burden of Rs 75,000 crore from the previous BJP government. He said the restoration of OPS has provided dignity and security to 1.36 lakh employees.

Detailing the disbursement of arrears, the CM said full pension and family pension arrears have been paid to pensioners aged 75 and above. Pensioners above 70 have received 70 per cent of arrears while the remaining 30 per cent will be paid within 40 days.

Pensioners aged 65 to 70 have received 38 per cent arrears, while those below 65 years have been paid 35 per cent. He said 20 per cent gratuity arrears have also been paid to employees who retired between January 2016 and December 2021.

Regarding salary arrears, Sukhu said Rs 50,000 has been paid to Class-I to Class-III employees and Rs 60,000 to Class-IV employees, besides an additional Rs 20,000 to Class-IV staff in October 2024.

The CM assured that all pending arrears would be cleared by 2027 as revenue improves. He also announced measures to extend pension benefits to Class-IV employees by counting one year of qualifying service in lieu of five years of daily-wage service.

Several ministers, legislators, pensioners’ representatives and dignitaries attended the function.