Thiruvananthapuram: The state cabinet has approved the ordinance that enables salary cut of government employees in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance was enacted after the High Court of Kerala stayed the government’s order. It was passed as per Disaster Management Act.

The High Court had ruled that the government’s decision to defer salary of government employees is not lawful. The government order did not mention when salary would be reimbursed to the employees, which also did not work in the favour of the government in High Court.

The ordinance will be sent for the governor’s approval after the cabinet passes it.

The government said that it does not want to challenge the High Court order. The stay is applicable for Central Government also. So Centre can file an appeal against it if they want to.

The finance department is of the opinion that the court order opened up a solution for the state government. The order has paved way for the government to pass the ordinance which would empower them to defer the salaries of its employees.

The government will cut six days salary from each government employee, earning more than Rs 20,000 per month, for five months.