KOCHI: The High Court has issued an interim order not to pay salaries to the employees in supervisory posts in KSRTC without paying the salaries of driver and conductor. KSRTC should ensure this. The court said that the government is answerable for the huge liability of KSRTC and should inform about the assets. The next hearing is on June 21.

The High Court has strongly criticized the government and management for delaying the salary payment of KSRTC employees. 'How can employees live without getting salary? Someone should see the tears of the employees. The salaries to driver and conductor must be ensured before paying the employees in supervisory posts.

‘Why did someone with so many responsibilities was appointed as CMD? Was it needed in a corporation like KSRTC which has got so many problems. Management does not exist only to put signature. They must have strategies to make KSRTC profitable. Many depots do not even have basic facilities. Why do private buses does so well? KSRTC is doing whatever they want to just to protect the interests of some people',criticised the court.

'People will criticize future plans when the existing ones are in loss. The court also strongly criticized for turning KSRTC into a classroom.The classes should be stopped and services should be regulated. Who is getting subsidy for tickets in KSRTC buses? More buses are being bought when many buses are getting rusted. What is the condition of KSRTC's shopping complex? Only CMD is getting paid, said the court.

'Why were the employees not paid this month's salary? 30 crore was received from the government. Can a vehicle move forward without diesel? Then how can a man sustain without salary?', asked the court.

The court also criticized trade unions in the matter. If the strike of the employees is affecting the timing of KSRTC, then the court cannot help. The strike will affect ordinary people. The court also said that CMD had its own car.

Justice Devan Ramachandran said that the government should not take the matter lightly and that if someone had the responsibility for a bus being rusted in a yard, then this would not have happened.