KSRTC pension arrears will be paid within two weeks: Kerala govt tells HC

KOCHI: The Kerala government has told the High Court that the KSRTC pension arrears will be paid within two weeks. Three months of pension arrears are to be paid. The government also informed that the amount will be found through a consortium of cooperative societies and the MoU will be signed with the consortium soon. The Chief Secretary was present online and informed the High Court about this.

Most of the 42,170 pensioners of KSRTC are struggling as they have not received their pension for three months. There has been no pension reform and no increase in DIR for 12 years. Pensioners are living on the amount changed 12 years back. In 2021, when the salary of KSRTC employees was revised, the pension was not revised.

At present 28 percent DRI is due. KSRTC pensioners are the only category that has not received festival allowance for five years. The demand for reform of exgratia pension is also years old. At present the minimum exgratia pension is Rs.1350. This is less than the social security pension amount. Often, only one month's pension is given when two or three times arrears are due.