Sports Council without for two months; Santosh Trophy with facebook post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the government employees are protesting over two days delay in their salaries, the employees of the State Sports Council, a semi-government organization, are suffering without salary and pension for the last two months. The reason for the crisis is the mismanagement of the council's governing body and non-increase in the budget allocation. Salaries of permanent employees, temporary coaches and daily wage workers in hostels/stadiums for this year are yet to be received.

The January salary was delayed because the amount in the plan and non-plan funds was not properly segregated and transferred to the accounts. The Finance Department was not ready to pay the salary due to the failure of the council officers. By the time this was resolved, additional budget allocations were required to pay salaries. Although a letter was given to the finance department for this, the government's financial crisis prevented it. Due to this, the February salary was also stopped.

During the previous administration, the council was going through a severe financial crisis. Salaries were often received weeks late. Although the issues were resolved with the intervention of the department minister, it was in crisis again.

A sad post from Arunachal



Satheevan Balan, the coach of the Kerala team in Santosh Trophy football being held in Arunachal Pradesh, shared a sad message on Facebook about the suspension of his pension. The post has gone viral.

"Having worked for the council for 25 years, we have no other income. Still working far and wide for the state but unable to look after the family." Satheevan also noted that those who do not hesitate to spend crores to organize Argentina's match should also see the tears of the poor coaches. Satheevan Balan is the coach who made Kerala the Santosh Trophy winners in 2018.