Thiruvananthapuram: In a major policy move, the Kerala government has made it clear that it will no longer be responsible for paying salaries, pensions, and other expenses for grant-in-aid institutions (institutions that receive financial support from government). The government’s Finance Department has issued a directive, stating that these institutions must fund their operations from their own resources. Financial aid from the government will only be provided as assistance, not as a guarantee for regular payments to employees.
Affidavit requirement for institution heads
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To further ensure that the government is not held accountable for salary-related claims, the heads of these institutions have been instructed to sign an affidavit. This affidavit will make it clear that the government will not be liable if employees take legal action for salary hikes, arrears, or other benefits. If such cases are won by the employees in court, the institutions themselves will be held responsible for paying the dues, not the government.
Aimed at preventing court cases against the government
This decision is partly aimed at discouraging legal cases against the government by employees of these institutions. Some court cases had resulted in the government being ordered to pay large sums to employees, even though the payments were not part of the original financial commitments. For example, the government had to pay Rs 35 crore in arrears following a court order related to pension reforms for the Sports Council and Housing Board.
The new rule will ensure that money allocated for non-salary purposes cannot be diverted to cover salary expenses.
Financial crisis among institutions
Many of the nearly 200 grant-in-aid institutions across Kerala are currently facing financial difficulties due to a halt in government funding. As a result, salaries can only be paid if the institutions have sufficient funds of their own. In the case of KSRTC, the government had taken a similar stand in a court case regarding salary arrears.
Impact on various institutions
The grant-in-aid system covers a wide range of institutions, both large and small, under various government departments. Some of the major institutions affected include the Khadi Grama Vyavasaya Board, Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Kalamandalam, Lalithakala Akademi, Chalachitra Academy, Kerala State Library Council, Literacy Mission, Human Rights Commission, Centre for Development Studies, Bala Sahitya Institute, and the Devaswom Recruitment Board, among others. While the exact number of employees at these institutions is not clear, many of them are now uncertain about their future salary payments due to the government's new policy.
Published: 15 Nov 2024, 07:56 am IST
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