A delegation of the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Front, headed by its president Atma Ram, met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday to present their various demands and submitted a formal charter during the meeting. Responding to them, the Chief Minister said that despite financial challenges and the discontinuation of RDG, the state government has implemented several welfare measures for employees and pensioners over the past three and a half years. He pointed out that the government reinstated the Old Pension Scheme for 1.36 lakh employees in its first Cabinet meeting, although the Union Government has withheld ₹1,600 crore in financial support meant for its implementation.

Sukhu also mentioned that arrears resulting from pay revision have been fully released for pensioners above 70 years of age. In addition, he said all pending gratuity and leave encashment payments for Class-IV employees who retired between January 1, 2016, and January 31, 2022, have been cleared. The meeting was attended by Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, and representatives of the Pensioners Front.

In a separate development, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Vinay Kumar said on May 1 that the party will conduct training programmes for office-bearers at different levels across the state to strengthen organisational capabilities and improve workers’ understanding of party ideology and policies. He added that the initiative will also focus on modern communication methods, including social media outreach, and will implement suggestions made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a recent training session for district presidents.

Describing the programme as a significant step, he said it aims to strengthen the party at the grassroots level and energise workers with renewed commitment. He also thanked party leaders and workers from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir for the successful organisation of the large-scale training event, calling it a reflection of the party’s discipline and dedication.