THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government issued an order allotting coupons to KSRTC employees. The coupon is distributed in proportion to two-thirds of two months' salary. Products can be purchased from Supplyco, Consumerfed and Maveli Store.

The High Court had ordered payment of one-third of the July and August salary arrears of KSRTC employees in cash and the remaining amount, Onam bonus and coupons to purchase food items and clothes. The coupon distribution started after the Finance Department sanctioned Rs 50 crore.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice CP Muhammad Niyaz in an appeal filed by the government against a single bench order asking the government to provide Rs 103 crore as back pay and bonus. The employees were opposed to the proposal to issue coupons.

Transport Employees Union (AITUC) general secretary MG Rahul has demanded the government's intervention to review and correct the High Court division bench order.

Giving purchase coupons instead of giving wages to employees is an encroachment on the right to life. Advocate General, who proposed such an anti-people before the court, should be removed from the position. The employees also warned that they will have to go on an indefinite strike if the government and the management are not ready to distribute the arrears of salaries and Onam benefits to the workers.