Govt fails to fulfill promise as KSRTC keeps salary arrears pending

Thiruvananthapuram: KSRTC management has failed to disburse salary arrears to employees on time despite assurance from the state cabinet. 

Last week, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal promised that KSRTC employees would receive salary arrears, bonus and festive allowances by August 22. In addition to the Rs 30 crore financial assistance, the minister also assured Rs 40 crore. KSRTC management also mobilized Rs 10 crores to pay salaries.

On Tuesday, Transport Minister Antony Raju stated that unless funds are granted by the Finance Department, KSRTC management is helpless on the matter. 

Earlier, employee unions in KSRTC withdrew from a strike announced on August 26 over assurances by the government. Unless the salary is distributed on Wednesday, the Congress-backed Transport Democratic Federation (TDF) has informed that they would observe a strike on August 26.

Meanwhile, employees struggle to make ends meet as Kerala is all set to celebrate Onam festival. As a result, management is finding it difficult to insist that employees work overtime to conduct Onam special services. 
To ease the situation, KSRTC management has decided to distribute festive allowances of Rs 2750 to its staff and Rs 1000 to temporary workers. The management had promised to pay the amount along with the salary on Wednesday.