KSRTC employees likely to get salaries before Saturday; government guarantee for loan, CM intervenes following Kerala Kaumudi report

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has made a crucial intervention in the salary crisis in KSRTC. The CM intervened following a report published by Kerala Kaumudi yesterday pointing out that the families of KSRTC employees were in dire straits due to the delay in getting salaries. Authorities are said to be taking necessary actions to ensure that the employees receive their salaries before this Saturday. Finance Minister KN Balagopal held discussions with Transport Minister Antony Raju yesterday on the instructions of the Chief Minister. The salary crisis was discussed at the cabinet meeting held yesterday. With KSRTC MD Biju Prabhakar returning from abroad today, authorities are likely to take necessary actions, including taking a bank loan.

The Finance Department has inquired about the amount in the possession of KSRTC for payment of salaries. According to sources, the government will provide a guarantee for the loan for the remaining amount. Although attempts were earlier made to get a loan for the payment of salaries, financial institutions had taken a stand that they would provide loans only if the government provides a guarantee. Financial institutions withdrew from giving loans as the government was not willing to provide a guarantee. Due to this, the move to pay salaries by May 10 failed.