Misery yet again for KSRTC

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSRTC getting caught in a quagmire is not surprising as they are forever mired in financial trouble. And now, KSRTC is grovelling in front of the government to help distribute the salary arrears of September and another two months of pension. The second instalment of last month's salary is also due. Rs 50 crore was requested from the government this month but only 30 crore reached the department. The department is hopeful of receiving another Rs 20 crores from the government soon, which will help complete the salary arrears.

The pension for the months of September and October is due. The department also demanded Rs 80 crore from the government to settle one month's arrears. The finance department has put forward a proposal to form a consortium and transfer the amount in the old practised way. However, the proposed program is yet to start.

In the last two months, the amount for pension was transferred directly to KSRTC after the consortium deal got stuck due to interest disputes. If the consortium method is adopted back, the pension disbursement will be delayed.

With this lax shown by the government, the lives of 40,000 people who depend on the pension amount have gone into misery. Among them, many are fighting penury and are striving to make money to buy medicines. Albeit the High Court's decision that pensions should be distributed within the fifth day of every month, nothing is being implemented with the excuse of a 'financial crisis'.

The government usually allocates the pension amount from the annual financial assistance to KSRTC. However, the implementation is done haphazardly which has cluttered the pension distribution.