SHIMLA- 5 August, 2026
Historic hike of 78 percent in salary of Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists)
· Salary increased by Rs. 33,660 to Rs. 60,000
In a significant decision aimed at further strengthening healthcare services in the state, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has approved a historic increase of 78 percent in the monthly salary of contract and Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists). Under this decision, their monthly salary has been increased directly from Rs. 33,660 to Rs. 60,000.
Earlier, in 2022, after the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, the salary of Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists) was raised from around Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 33,660 with an increase of approximately 24 percent. Now, the Congress-led state government has approved a 78 percent salary hike, providing a substantial boost to these specialists.
This decision is expected to encourage specialist doctors to serve in government healthcare institutions and help ensure the availability of quality healthcare services in remote areas of the state.
Under the leadership of Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government has been consistently taking concrete steps to strengthen the healthcare sector so that people can access better treatment and modern medical facilities close to their homes, reducing the need to travel outside the state for healthcare.
In line with this vision, the government had earlier increased the monthly stipend of postgraduate medical students studying in government medical colleges. The stipend for first-year PG students was increased from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000, for second-year PG students from Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 60,000 and for third-year PG students from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 65,000. The medical students pursuing post graduation play a crucial role in patient care alongside their academic training. Recognizing their responsibilities, the government enhanced their stipends to motivate them to provide better healthcare services.
Similarly, keeping in view the important role of Senior Residents and other specialist doctors in the medical colleges, the government also increased their monthly stipends by 50 percent to 170 percent.
The monthly stipend of Senior Residents and Tutor Specialists was increased from Rs. 60,000-Rs. 65,000 to Rs. 1,00,000. The monthly stipend of Super Specialists and Senior Residents (Super Specialists) was increased from Rs. 60,000-Rs. 65,000 to Rs. 1,30,000.
The Chief Minister stated that healthcare and education were among the state government's highest priorities. Over the past three and a half years, the government has taken several important decisions to bring about comprehensive reforms in these sectors.
He said that the increase in the salaries of Contract and Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists) would further strengthen healthcare services and help provide better medical facilities to the people of the state.
The Chief Minister further added that while the government was expanding modern technology and advanced medical facilities across healthcare institutions, it was also taking effective measures to address the shortage of doctors and other healthcare personnel. He expressed confidence that these initiatives would ensure that people across the state receive high-quality healthcare services closer to their homes.
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CM takes decisive initiatives in major legal battles to safeguard Himachal's interests
· Will never compromise on the interests of State: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has demonstrated strong leadership in safeguarding the rights and interests of Himachal Pradesh by ensuring effective legal representation in several long-pending matters concerning the State. Under his leadership, the State Government has achieved significant progress in a number of important legal and administrative cases that had remained unresolved for years. He said that sustained efforts are being made to secure the State's legitimate claims relating to the financial dues and power share from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) as well as the Shanan Hydroelectric Project.
The Chief Minister has consistently raised the issue of Himachal Pradesh's outstanding financial dues of approximately Rs. 4,200 crore from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), along with the State's rightful share of 13,066 million units of electricity on various forums. Despite a Supreme Court judgment delivered in favour of Himachal Pradesh nearly 15 years ago, the State has yet to receive its full entitlement. The State Government is also strongly pursuing its legitimate claim to a 7.19 per cent share in the land and assets of Chandigarh under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The Supreme Court has also upheld the validity of the State's claim in this matter.
The issue of the Shanan hydroelectric project also remains one of the key priorities of the Chief Minister. Despite the expiry of the lease period, the Punjab government has not handed over the project to Himachal Pradesh. The state government has been vigorously pursuing the matter at various levels, and the case is presently under consideration before the Supreme Court.
Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the state government secured a significant legal victory in the long-pending Wild Flower Hall case, which had remained under litigation since 2002. By presenting strong facts and evidence before the court, the State Government succeeded in obtaining a historic judgment in favour of Himachal Pradesh. Following the Supreme Court's order, the property has reverted to the control of the State Government. In accordance with the judgment, the state government paid Rs. 25 crore and the property is now generating annual revenue of more than Rs. 20 crore for the State.
Similarly, the State Government has achieved a major success in the royalty dispute concerning the 1,045 MW Karcham-Wangtoo hydroelectric project. Following the Supreme Court's decision, Himachal Pradesh's share of free power from the project has been enhanced from 12 per cent to 18 per cent, resulting in additional annual revenue of approximately Rs. 150 crore for the State.
The Chief Minister's firm initiative has also ensured effective protection of Himachal Pradesh's interests in the Kishau multipurpose project estimated to cost nearly Rs. 15,000 crore. The previous BJP government had agreed to accept Rs. 800 crore as the State's share, which the Chief Minister rejected. Thereafter, through sustained efforts by the state government, the government of India has in principle agreed that the beneficiary States of Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana would bear the estimated cost of approximately Rs. 2,000 crore towards Himachal Pradesh's share of the water component. Upon completion, the 422 MW project, proposed on the Tons river along the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, will provide Himachal Pradesh with nearly 100 crore units of electricity as its share of the power component, with an estimated annual value of around Rs. 600 crore.
The state government's proactive and effective legal pursuit of these important matters reflects its firm commitment under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to safeguard the long-term interests of Himachal Pradesh and secure the State's legitimate rights over its resources.
The Chief Minister said that he would never compromise on the interests of Himachal Pradesh and that the welfare of the State and its people would always remain his highest priority.
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Newly appointed Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Congress Scheduled Caste Department Naresh Chauhan called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Shimla today. It was a courtesy call.