THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Minister and the CAG have confirmed the allegation of KSEB Chairman Dr B Ashok that the KSEB had imposed additional liabilities by implementing the salary revision in violation of the government directive. KSEB had ignored two proposals when the pay revision was implemented last year. An order issued on January 18, 2021, stated that the prior approval of the government was necessary when implementing pay revisions in public sector undertakings. The government had also said that the practice of seeking government approval after the pay revision should be abandoned. KSEB did not comply with this.

Moreover, the government had also said that salaries should not be revised on a cadre basis as it would create a huge financial liability. This was also ignored. KSEB has an arrear of Rs 1100 crore by revising salary with retroactive effect from August 2018. The Deputy Accountant General said that this was mentioned in the CAG report.

Minister Krishnankutty also said that it had been noted earlier that the KSEB had not sought permission from the government for the pay revision. With this, the Regulatory Commission may not accept the liability incurred through the salary revision as a loss of function of KSEB. Such losses will not be considered in the power tariff revision either. This will increase the loss of the institution.