Thiruvananthapuram: More than 5,000 higher secondary school teachers in Kerala are facing a crisis ahead of Onam, with salaries pending for nearly four months.

Despite the state government announcing DA and festival bonuses, teachers who were transferred or promoted this academic year have not received their pay.

After a transfer or promotion, salary slips must be renewed by the Accountant General’s office. Until then, salaries can be disbursed using the pay slip from the teacher’s previous school. Teachers who were transferred in May have so far been paid under that arrangement, but it has now been halted, leaving them without salaries as well as Onam benefits.

The issue has been compounded by staff shortages after the central government’s move to cut personnel and close regional offices of the AG.

Higher Secondary School Teachers Association (HSSTA) General Secretary Anil M George urged that the pay slip renewal process be completed before Onam to ensure employees receive their salaries and benefits on time.