“Salary Cut Anti-Employee and Authoritarian”: HPUTA Opposes Himachal Govt Decision, Warns of Protest
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Shimla, March 22, 2026:
The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers Welfare Association (HPUTA) has strongly condemned the state government’s budget announcement proposing a 3% monthly salary cut for Category A and B employees, terming it “anti-employee” and reflective of an “authoritarian approach.”
HPUTA General Secretary Dr. Nitin Vyas said the decision is highly insensitive, especially at a time when rising inflation is already burdening employees. “Instead of providing relief, the government is pushing employees into further financial distress,” he stated, adding that the move would adversely affect the morale of teachers and staff across the state.
The association also raised the issue of the pending 13% Dearness Allowance (DA), which remains unpaid despite being a legitimate entitlement of employees. Dr. Vyas emphasized that withholding DA while proposing salary cuts reflects unfair treatment and weakens trust between employees and the government.
Highlighting another long-pending concern, HPUTA pointed out that arrears under the 2016 UGC pay scale have been cleared in most states, but remain unpaid in Himachal Pradesh. The association termed this delay “unfortunate” and indicative of administrative negligence and discrimination against teachers.
HPUTA stressed that teachers play a crucial role in shaping society and any neglect of their financial and professional interests could negatively impact the quality of education and the state’s long-term development.
Issuing a strong warning, Dr. Vyas said the association will not accept such decisions and demanded immediate rollback of the 3% salary cut, release of pending DA, and early disbursement of UGC arrears. He added that if the government fails to address these demands, teachers and employees across the state may be forced to launch a united democratic agitation.
The association also appealed to other teacher bodies, employee unions, and intellectuals to unite on the issue and build pressure on the government to safeguard employee rights.
