Kerala Kalamandalam: Chancellor Mallika Sarabhai requests salary from state govt

Thiruvananthapuram: Noted dancer and Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam, Mallika Sarabhai, has formally requested a salary from the Kerala Government. As per reports, she has submitted an official request seeking salary and benefits.

Despite earlier assurances that Sarabhai's appointment would not lead to any financial difficulties, the government's stance on this matter remains uncertain.

Presently, Kalamandalam is covering the travel and other expenses of the chancellor. If the government approves Sarabhai's request, she has to be paid roughly Rs 3 lakh a month. 

Meanwhile, the government is looking into the salary arrangements of similar postings in institutions outside Kerala. The final decision will be taken after holding talks with the Chief Minister. 

Earlier, the government stated that the appointment of new chancellors in various institutions in Kerala wouldn't create a financial crisis. Additionally, the Kerala Governor is yet to sign the bill granting power to the government to remove him as chancellor of universities in the state. However, if the governor approves the bill, the government must designate new chancellors in each university. As a result, the decision made in response to Sarabhai's request will certainly be followed in the cases of other chancellors, placing an enormous financial burden on the government.