NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has sharply criticized the Kerala government over its practice of providing lifelong pensions to the personal staff of ministers if they have served for two years. The court said that such a practice could not be found elsewhere in the country. The court criticized while considering the KSRTC's plea against the diesel price hike.

The bench, comprising Justice Abdul Nasir and Justice Krishnakumari, asked why the KSRTC was coming up with such pleas when the state government was implementing such practices. The bench also refused to send notices to the oil companies on the petition. Subsequently, KSRTC withdrew the petition.

Justice Abdul Nasir directed senior advocate V Giri, who appeared for KSRTC, to convey the court's dissatisfaction to the top brass of the state government.