One month's pay of Govt staff to be deducted for flood relief

Thiruvananthapuram: Government employees in Kerala will have to contribute a month's salary to flood relief and the amount will be deducted from their salary.

Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has told representatives of staff service organisations that those who do not accept the government decision will have to give their objection in writing.

Deductions will be made in installments with a maximum of 10, starting this month. Those who are willing to contribute the leave surrender money can opt for that.

Donations to the flood relief allow a tax deduction too. If anybody has already donated to the flood relief, the money will be accounted for when the deduction is made from salary. Those who want to avail of a provident fund loan to make a donation can also do that.

Organisations allied with the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), had argued that the government should only deduct an amount that the employees have consented to. The Federation of Employees' and Teachers' Associations (FETO) have specified that its allied unions oppose the decision to deduct one month's pay.

The opposition-aligned employee leaders had pointed out, that as several government employees have also suffered in the flood, deducting money from such personnel will be unfair. They also suggested that more than a month's salary could be deducted if any employee is ready to make such an offer and that the government should take a consensual approach.

Organisations aligned with the ruling front in general have agreed to contribute one month's salary for flood relief.