Facing financial challenges, the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has decided to defer a portion of the salaries of public representatives, including the Chief Minister, ministers, and lawmakers, for six months. The decision, approved by the Governor, involves deferring 50% of the Chief Minister’s salary, 30% of the salaries of other key officials, and 20% of the salaries of all Members of the Legislative Assembly for the next six months. This move is in accordance with Articles 162 and 166 of the Constitution.
The government has emphasized that this deferral is temporary and not a permanent salary cut. The deferred amount will be reimbursed to the public representatives once the state’s financial condition improves. Transparency will be maintained throughout the process, with the e-salary system clearly displaying the full salary and the deferred portion separately on salary slips.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu announced this salary reduction during his Budget speech for the fiscal year 2026–27. Initially, the plan included deferring salaries of senior officials as well, but this was later retracted on Himachal Day, April 15. The notification issued by Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta specifically addresses the deferral of salaries of public representatives and confirms that all statutory deductions, including income tax, will be applicable to the entire salary.
To prevent any future accounting or tax issues, the deferred amount will be calculated based on the remaining salary after deductions. Additionally, provisions have been made for public representatives who have availed house-building or motor-car advances.
