After years, Onam benefits for KSRTC employees and pensioners; Rs 33.92 crore allocated

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has decided to provide festival allowances and salary advances to KSRTC employees and pensioners ahead of Onam, with Rs 33.92 crore allocated for the purpose, Transport Minister C.P. John said.

The benefits include an Onam allowance for pensioners and a salary advance for permanent employees.

Permanent employees will receive a salary advance of Rs 10,000 and a festival allowance of Rs 3,000. Eligible employees will also receive a bonus. Temporary employees will be given a festival allowance of Rs 1,000.

For the first time in several years, KSRTC pensioners will also receive an Onam festival allowance of Rs 1,250.

As per the Cabinet decision, Rs 21.5 crore will be allocated to KSRTC to provide the Rs 10,000 Onam advance to permanent employees. The Cabinet has also sanctioned Rs 5.32 crore as special financial assistance to enable the corporation to provide the Rs 1,250 festival allowance to pensioners.

This is the first time since 2019 that KSRTC pensioners will receive an Onam allowance. The Onam salary advance for employees had not been provided since 2023.

Although no final decision has been taken on the long-pending demand for pension revision, the Onam allowance is expected to provide some relief to pensioners.

Minister C.P. John said the Cabinet decided to provide the Onam benefits in recognition of the sincerity and dedication of KSRTC employees despite the corporation's severe financial difficulties.

The decision comes as KSRTC seeks to move towards becoming a more people-friendly organisation while addressing the financial and operational challenges it has faced in recent months.