Kochi: The Kerala High Court has issued a directive on Monday stating that if the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) fails to pay the pension arrears by April 12, the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of the Transport Department must appear in court and provide an explanation.

The court had previously ordered the KSRTC to ensure that employee pensions are paid within the first five days of each month. However, K Ashok Kumar, the General Secretary of the Transport Pensioners Front, moved a contempt petition claiming that the KSRTC had not complied with the court's order.

The bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran opined that KSRTC was given enough time to consider the matter and provide an explanation.

During the initial consideration of the petition on March 20, KSRTC requested a week's extension, informing the court that it had initiated measures to distribute pensions and was waiting for government department approvals. On both March 28 and 31, KSRTC reiterated this and was given additional time to disburse pensions.  

As a result of these delays, pension for two months have become arrears. The court was unhappy with KSRTC's lackadaisical approach and gave an ultimatum: either pay the pensions within two days, or the Chief Secretary VP Joy and Transport Department Secretary Biju Prabhakar must appear in court in person and provide an explanation.