Overview
- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a temporary salary deferment for six months, set at 50% for the CM, 30% for the Deputy CM and cabinet ministers, and 20% for MLAs.
- The deferment extends to top bureaucracy with 30% for the Chief Secretary and DGP ranks, 20% for secretaries and heads of departments, and 3% for Group A and Group B officers.
- Group C and Group D employees are exempt, and the budget raises compensation for lower-paid categories, including hikes for non-regular medical officers, nurses and technicians, daily wagers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, and other support staff.
- The government asked the High Court to consider a voluntary judicial pay deferment and urged boards, corporations, PSUs, universities, and other grant-aided bodies to adopt similar steps.
- Officials said detailed notifications and savings estimates are still awaited, and the budget also reworks MLA-linked spending by raising MLA Priority Scheme allocations and halving the MLA Local Area Development Fund.