Shimla, March 22 -- In a major austerity push, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday announced a six-month deferment of salaries for himself, his cabinet, and senior officials. Presenting a tightened Rs.54,928 crore budget for 2026-27, Sukhu reduced the overall outlay by Rs.3,586 crore compared to the previous year, citing "extraordinary financial challenges" triggered by the Centre's discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). The chief minister announced that 50% of his own salary, 30% for ministers, and 20% for MLAs would be deferred. The move extends to the bureaucracy: the chief secretary, director general of police, and other senior officers face a 30% deferment, while mid-level officers and the police force will see a 20% cut. Furthermore, a planned 3% salary increment for state employees has been stayed for six months. The government also indicated that it may appeal to the judiciary for similar voluntary deferment measures Sukhu clarified that no salary cuts have been imposed on employees. "I seek six months' support from all sections, and I assure that Himachal Pradesh will move towards self-reliance," Sukhu said. Attributing the crisis to the cessation of the RDG, Sukhu noted that the state is also battling a rising debt burden and pending dues of Rs.7,000 crore under GST compensation and BBMB. "We are working for the state, not for elections," Sukhu said, asserting that the government would pivot from populist measures toward fiscal discipline. He urged the judiciary to consider similar voluntary deferments....