Amid Fiscal Crisis, Himachal Government Employees Do Not Receive Salaries; BJP Says Congress's 'Khatakhat Is Ending'

After state government employees of Himachal Pradesh claimed they did not receive their August salaries, the political blame game started between the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Congress government.

Sanjeev Sharma, President of the Secretariat Employees Association, said that usually the pensioners and employees get their salaries on the first day of every month, but for the first time, salaries have not been credited until the third.

"We got to know that this time the employees will receive their salary by 5 September and pensioners will receive their salaries by 10 September. It is a matter of concern that why did it happen," he said.

Calling it a 'very big lapse', Sharma highlighted the difficulties being faced by state government employees. He is set to write a letter to the finance secretary requesting to direct banks to defer the EMI date until salaries are credited.

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu called for a discussion on financial mismanagement in the state so that the Congress government could explain why this happened and blamed the BJP for it.

"We want to explain how the double-engine government of the BJP looted the public's treasury. They provided free electricity and water, and almost 600 education and health institutions were opened. We want to inform the public about it," he added.

Sukhu pointed towards the negative effects on a state's economy in the absence of strategic decisions and blamed former CM Jairam Thakur for the fiscal mismanagement.

In response, Thakur attacked Sukhu for his contradictory remarks on the state's fiscal health. He said that the BJP has already given a notice for a discussion on the finances in the state legislative assembly.

The former CM also attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's guarantees and said, "The khatakhat is ending. Himachal is the first example. Other states should learn from two years of Congress rule in Himachal."

In light of the fiscal crisis, Sukhu earlier announced postponing his salary, allowances and other benefits for the next two month along with his Cabinet colleagues, chief parliamentary secretaries, and board chairmen.

He also urged all members of the legislative assembly (MLA) to voluntarily delay their salaries and allowances temporarily. Thakur then accused Sukhu of being involved in a scam within the excise department.