"Why run at a Loss?": Supreme Court questions KSRTC's very existence

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has said that it will supervise the distribution of pension benefits to be given by KSRTC. The Supreme Court also raised the question of why KSRTC is operating if it is at a loss.

Court will examine whether the norms, including seniority, are being followed in the distribution of pensions. The High Court had ordered to provide retirement benefits to Pradeep D. Nair, who retired as a vehicle inspector in 2024. The Supreme Court was considering a petition filed by KSRTC against this.

KSRTC informed that there are more than 41355 pensioners. There is a financial liability of 16000 crores. There is also a loss of revenue of 150 crores annually. That is why the distribution of pensions is delayed, KSRTC argued. That is when a bench of Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma raised the question of why it is operating if it is at a loss. The court asked whether private services are not profitable.

When KSRTC informed that the loss was due to working with social commitment, the Supreme Court responded that it would hear detailed arguments. The opposing party, Pradeep D. Nair, should be paid Rs. 2 lakh as part of the pension benefit immediately. The court also ordered to send a notice to Pradeep. It will be considered again after four weeks.