Financial crisis not affecting high salary; former chief secretary getting paid Rs 6.37 lakh per month including pension and KIIFB salary

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KM Abraham, who was reappointed as chief principal secretary to the chief minister and KIIFB CEO after retiring as the state chief secretary, is getting Rs 6.37 lakh a month including pension. He receives Rs 3.87 lakh as CEO of KIIFB and Rs 2.50 lakh as service pension. This was revealed in a written reply given by Finance Minister KN Balagopal to a question given by K Babu MLA in the Assembly.

Abraham was re-appointed in 2018. As KIIFB CEO, he has so far received Rs 2.73 crore as salary. Rs 6.84 lakh was paid as leave surrender and Rs 19,250 as festival allowance. Initially, his salary was Rs 2.75 lakh. The salary reached Rs 3,87,750 after a raise of Rs 27,500 in January 2019, Rs 27,500 in 2020, Rs 19,250 in 2022, Rs 19,250 in 2023 and Rs 19,250 in April 2024.

High salary for three retired officers

Finance minister's reply said that in addition to KM Abraham, three other retired officers have also been re-appointed at KIIFB at a high salary. The person appointed as additional CEO is paid Rs 1.88 lakh per month. The salary is Rs 1.10 lakh for the person appointed as special secretary and Rs 1.11 lakh for the person appointed as senior general manager. This salary is paid to them in addition to their pensions.