KSRTC’s Failure to Fulfill Salary Arrears Promise Sparks Discontent

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has encountered difficulties in meeting its commitment to promptly distribute salary arrears to its employees, despite assurances from the state cabinet.

Last week, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal gave his word that KSRTC workers would receive their overdue salaries, along with bonuses and festive allowances, by August 22. In addition to an initial pledge of Rs 30 crore in financial aid, the minister also guaranteed an additional Rs 40 crore. The KSRTC management also managed to pool together Rs 10 crore to contribute towards salary disbursement.

However, on Tuesday, Transport Minister Antony Raju acknowledged the constraints faced by the KSRTC management due to the absence of funds allocated by the Finance Department.

Although employee unions within KSRTC withdrew their plans for a strike scheduled for August 26 in light of government assurances, the Transport Democratic Federation (TDF), backed by the Congress party, has declared its intention to stage a strike on August 26 if salaries are not distributed by Wednesday.

As Kerala readies itself to celebrate the Onam festival, employees find themselves grappling to make ends meet. This predicament has complicated the management’s efforts to mandate overtime work for the execution of special Onam services.

In an attempt to defuse the situation, the KSRTC management has decided to provide festive allowances of Rs 2750 to regular staff and Rs 1000 to temporary workers. This allowance, initially committed to be disbursed alongside salaries on Wednesday, aims to ease tensions among the workforce.