Thiruvananthapuram: With only a few days remaining for Onam, KSRTC has agreed to pay the salary dues of its staff for the month of July by August 22. 

The decision was taken in a ministerial-level meeting convened with employee union representatives on Wednesday. Earlier, INTUC and CITU announced a strike on August 26 in protest against the delay in the disbursement of salary dues. 

The government has currently announced financial aid of Rs 30 crores for KSRTC. However, it is projected that roughly Rs 50 crores will be required to pay up the entire dues. In addition, Rs 20 crores are needed to disburse festive benefits to employees. The management of KSRTC has been ordered to raise some funds for the same. 

Ministers K.N. Balagopal, V. Sivankutty, and Antony Raju were present at the meeting with employee unions. The government has agreed to the unions' requests, including the issuance of festival allowances, salary advances, and bonuses. The union leaders also announced that if KSRTC settles dues in a single instalment on August 22, then the strike will be called off.

Pensioners' strike from Aug 18 onwards

Meanwhile, KSRTC Pensioners Association has announced a day-and-night protest on Aug 18, 19, and 20 due to the delay in disbursing pensions. The protest will be organised in front of the KSRTC bus depot in Kozhikode and Muvattupuzha and Martyr's Column in Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram. 

According to Pensioners Association representatives, KSRTC has been paying the pension amounts without any revisions for the last 12 years. Pensioners are currently receiving payments ranging from Rs 1350 to Rs 10,000, which needed periodical revision.