Joint employees’ body demands release of pending DA, arrears

The Himachal Pradesh Joint Employees Federation has called on the state government to release the pending 13 per cent dearness allowance (DA) and arrears for employees, urging that it be done in a fair and generous manner.

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Addressing a press conference, federation state president Virender Chauhan congratulated legislators for passing the Bill on salary and allowance revisions the previous day. He pointed out that both the ruling and opposition parties had spoken in unison about inflation, which led to an increase in their own salaries and allowances. This, he said, was proof that inflation had reached its peak in the state and that there was no financial crisis. “If the state were truly facing a financial crunch, legislators would not have considered such Bills,” he remarked.

Chauhan emphasised that if the government acknowledged the financial strain caused by inflation, it was only natural that employees should receive their pending DA and arrears of revised pay scales without further delay.

Apart from pressing for the release of DA and arrears, the federation also voiced concerns about the regularisation of contract employees who have completed two years of service. Despite meeting the required criteria, the process has not been initiated in any department so far. Chauhan also spoke about the recent Cabinet approval for Directorate restructuring, expressing hope that it would bring positive results for employees.

Looking ahead, the federation has planned a series of district-level employee conferences across Himachal Pradesh. These gatherings will not only facilitate elections for district-level executives but will also provide a platform for employees from various departments, boards, and corporations to discuss their concerns. The federation intends to compile the key issues raised during these meetings and submit them to the government for further action and strategic planning.

Chauhan reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to ensuring that employee demands are met and that the state government takes decisive steps to address their grievances.