In a significant move aimed at improving the welfare and financial security of state government employees, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced a major relief for Class-IV workers. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during a high-level meeting in Shimla on Saturday, unveiled a new provision that will allow regularised Class-IV employees to receive additional pension benefits based on their years of service as daily wage workers.

According to the new decision, Class-IV employees who were regularised after May 15, 2003, will now be entitled to one year of regular service benefit for every five years of daily wage service for the purpose of pension calculation. The rule provides for a maximum addition of two years of qualifying service. This measure is designed to ensure that long-serving workers who spent several years as daily wage employees before being regularised are not deprived of pension benefits upon retirement.

Details of the New Provision

Chief Minister Sukhu explained that under the revised rules, workers who have served at least ten years as daily wage employees will be granted two additional years of qualifying service under the Central Civil Services (CCS) Pension Rules, 1972. This change aims to bridge the gap for many Class-IV employees who were regularised later in their careers and, as a result, had less than ten years of formal service — the minimum requirement for receiving a pension.

Sukhu stated, “This move will particularly benefit those Class-IV employees who were previously deprived of pension benefits at the time of their retirement due to having less than ten years of regular service.” He further clarified that the new rule recognizes and rewards the years these employees spent serving the government in daily wage positions before their formal regularisation.

The chief minister emphasized that this decision was taken after careful consideration of the long-standing demands of the state’s workforce. “With this relaxation, one year of regular service will be counted for every five years of daily wage service. A maximum of two years of qualifying service, for those with ten years or more of daily wage service, will be considered for the grant of pension under the CCS Pension Rules 1972,” he said.

Who Will Benefit?

The Himachal Pradesh government has specified that the new rule applies exclusively to Class-IV employees regularised after May 15, 2003. These workers will now be eligible to receive the additional service benefits while calculating their pension entitlement.

The chief minister noted that the measure will especially help employees who served the government for decades as daily wage workers before being absorbed into regular service. Many of these employees, despite years of contribution, were unable to qualify for pensions because their regular service tenure fell short of the minimum eligibility period. This decision, Sukhu said, is a step toward rectifying that long-standing issue.

Recognition of Long-Term Service

Sukhu highlighted that the decision is not just a financial adjustment but a recognition of loyalty and dedication shown by thousands of Class-IV workers who have served the state in various capacities over the years. “The move is expected to bring long-overdue recognition to employees who served the government for years before being formally regularised,” he said.

These employees — often comprising peons, watchmen, and support staff — have been instrumental in maintaining day-to-day operations in government offices and public institutions. For years, many of them were engaged on a daily wage basis, often earning modest incomes without access to job security, pension, or other long-term benefits.

By allowing them to count part of their daily wage service toward their pension eligibility, the government has extended both financial relief and acknowledgment of their contribution to the state machinery.

Link to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)

In addition to announcing the new pension calculation rule, Chief Minister Sukhu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to employee welfare by declaring that these workers would be given another opportunity to opt for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

He recalled that one of the government’s first decisions after taking office was to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme, which had been discontinued in many states after the introduction of the New Pension Scheme (NPS). The OPS, which provides assured monthly pensions to retired employees, is considered more secure and beneficial for workers compared to the market-linked NPS.

“The reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme was a promise we made to ensure the social and financial security of our employees. Now, by providing this additional benefit to Class-IV workers, we are reinforcing that commitment,” Sukhu said.

The government’s reintroduction of OPS has been a popular measure among state employees, with several worker unions expressing gratitude for the step. The latest announcement adds to that momentum by ensuring that even those on the lower rungs of the service ladder are included in the state’s welfare framework.

Administrative and Financial Implications

While the move is expected to bring much-needed relief to thousands of workers, it also carries administrative implications. The Department of Personnel and the Department of Finance have been directed to implement the new policy framework and ensure that eligible employees are identified promptly.

The government expects that the financial impact will be manageable, considering that the added service years are capped at two. Officials stated that the cost is justified by the long-term benefits of ensuring fairness and motivation among lower-grade employees.

According to state sources, Himachal Pradesh has a substantial number of Class-IV employees who were regularised after May 2003. Many of them have already served over a decade as daily wage workers before their absorption into regular service. This group stands to gain significantly from the newly announced provision, which could make them eligible for pension benefits that they would otherwise have lost.

A Step Toward Employee Welfare

The announcement reflects the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government’s continued focus on welfare-oriented governance. Since coming to power, the administration has taken several measures aimed at strengthening the rights and benefits of state employees. These include restoring the OPS, clearing pending dues, and improving working conditions for contractual and daily wage workers.

Sukhu has consistently emphasized that his government values the contribution of all employees, particularly those in lower categories who form the backbone of the state’s administrative and service delivery system. “Our government is committed to ensuring that no employee feels left out of the benefits they rightfully deserve. This initiative is a small but significant step toward justice for those who have given their best years to the service of Himachal Pradesh,” he said.

Conclusion

The Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to extend additional pension benefits to Class-IV employees regularised after May 15, 2003, represents both a practical and symbolic gesture. Practically, it ensures that employees who devoted years of their working life as daily wage earners can now qualify for pension benefits under the CCS Pension Rules, 1972. Symbolically, it recognizes their dedication and contributions to the state administration.

By coupling this policy with a renewed opportunity to opt for the Old Pension Scheme, the Sukhu government has reaffirmed its stance on safeguarding the welfare of government employees — particularly those who form the foundation of the state’s workforce. For thousands of Class-IV workers, this decision offers long-awaited financial security, dignity in retirement, and acknowledgment of their years of service to Himachal Pradesh.