Kerala HC criticises state govt for delay in salary payments to KSRTC staff

Kochi: The Kerala High Court criticised the state government on Monday for the delay in paying KSRTC employees' salaries, particularly during the current Onam celebrations. The court also ordered the state government to make provisions for Rs 30 crore before August 24, when a follow-up hearing on the issue is scheduled.

The order issued by Justice Devan Ramachandran stated that any delay in payments would simply cause "unnecessary strife and controversy" among the KSRTC staff.

“It is rather intriguing that the Government is unable to inform this court of any alternative for the KSRTC – apart from the monthly assistance being given to them by them; but still delays payment until the end of the month,” the order said.

Justice Ramachandran said while the entire state was in celebratory mode for Onam, the court “certainly cannot countenance” that the employees of KSRTC, especially its drivers and conductors, are without salary for July 2023.

The court said it failed to understand why the government delayed such payments, which could have been done by the first or second week of every month.

“No cogent explanation is forthcoming, even though this question has been repeatedly asked by this court,” it said.

The counsel for the KSRTC told the court that at least another Rs 30 crore was required to pay the full salary of the employees for the month of July and that a further Rs 10 crore will be necessary to pay their festival bonuses and allowances.

“It is, therefore, now unexpendable that the Government and the KSRTC find Rs 40 crore; and this cannot brook any further delay, because ‘Thiruvonam’ is on August 29, 2023, while August 28, 2023, is a public holiday,” the order said.

The court adjourned the matter to August 24 and said the provisions for the amount of at least Rs 30 crore “must be answered affirmatively on that date”.

With PTI inputs