In a landmark decision, the High Court has instructed the Himachal Pradesh government to update the pension notifications for the non-official chairman and members of the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC). This directive comes in response to a petition filed by former HPPSC chairman, K S Tomar, highlighting the need for pension adjustments based on the Consumer’s Price Index (CPI).
The ruling, issued by a bench comprising Justices Tarlok Chauhan and Sushil Kukreja, addresses the unchanged pension structure established by a notification dated March 12, 2004. Despite the significant rise in the cost of living, adjustments to this pension plan have not been made since its inception.
“It is acknowledged that the chairman and members of the HP Public Service Commission are entitled to a pension under the Himachal Pradesh Public Service (Members) Regulations, 1974. However, the pension provisions have remained static since March 2004,” stated the court in its verdict delivered on Tuesday.
The court has now mandated the respondent government to reassess and subsequently update the 2004 notification by considering the CPI and a precedent set by the Kerala High Court. The government is required to complete this revision before the next court hearing scheduled for June 17, 2025.
Petitioner KS Tomar expressed his satisfaction with the judgment, remarking, “I had full faith in the judiciary, which has now rectified a long-standing oversight by the past BJP and current Congress administrations. This decision not only corrects an inequality but also sets a precedent for similar actions across other state public service commissions.”
