HP govt withdraws cabinet rank of 7 persons, defers 20% salaries till September

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh govt on Tuesday withdrew the "cabinet rank" previously accorded to seven individuals, including the chairman, vice-chairman and deputy chairman of boards, corporations and commissions, as well as principal advisers and political advisers to the chief minister.The move is aimed at streamlining administrative protocol.The cash strapped state govt also ordered that 20% of their salaries and emoluments would remain deferred until Sept 30, 2026. The directions were issued to all administrative secretaries and they were told to take prompt action in the matter.Those impacted include Sunil Sharma, political adviser to chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu; Gokul Butail, principal adviser (IT, innovation and governance); and Naresh Chauhan, principal adviser (media). Others include Nagrota Bagwan MLA and chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) Raghubir Singh Bali, Rampur MLA and chairperson of the 7th State Finance Commission Nand Lal, Fatehpur MLA and deputy chairman of the State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, and vice-chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi.The state govt spends Rs 84.90 lakh every year on salaries and allowances of individuals accorded cabinet ranks, the CM had informed the Himachal assembly in a written reply last year. Bali and Khachi do not draw salaries and allowances from the state exchequer, while Butail draws Re 1 as a token salary per year. Political adviser Sharma draws a monthly salary of Rs 2.50 lakh, besides a Rs 19,132 monthly vehicle and fuel allowance. Media adviser Chauhan draws a monthly salary Rs 2.50 lakh, besides a Rs 20,000 residence allowance and a Rs 25,910 fuel and vehicle allowance per month. MLA Nand Lal draws a Rs 40,462 monthly vehicle and fuel allowance, while MLA Pathania draws a Rs 69,000 monthly vehicle and fuel allowance, the chief minister had informed the assembly. MSID:: 129630522 413 |