KSRTC: Pension for March not yet distributed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as March is coming to an end, former KSRTC employees have not received their pension for March following the intervention of officials of the cooperation and finance department. With the income coming to a halt, the families of many KSRTC pensioners are finding it difficult as they have no money even for treatment.

The pension was to be distributed on March 5. It is the cooperation department that gives Rs 65 crores per month for pension on the assurance of the government. This amount will be reimbursed from the budget allocation for KSRTC. Apart from the delay in the disbursement of government funds, the disbursement of pensions has also been hampered by disputes over interest rates. At present, the interest rate is eight and a half percent. The cooperation department is demanding that this should be increased to 9%. The decision of the finance department in this regard is getting delayed. A large number of pensioners are depending on this income for medical treatment and other needs.