THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Workers union workers tried to block Transport Minister Antony Raju on the road to protest against salary distribution. The protest took place when the minister was returning after inaugurating the Grama Vandi at Chathamangalam in Kozhikode. The protest was staged by STU workers. The police arrested and removed them.

Meanwhile, the distribution of coupons allotted to KSRTC employees will also face delay. A letter has been sent to the district offices asking them to release the coupon only if there are people who need it and to keep note of the number of people that needs it.

The coupon is distributed in proportion to two-thirds of two months' salary. Products can be purchased from Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board, Civil Supplies Corporation, Consumerfed, Maveli Store, Horticorp, Hantex and Hanweave.

Earlier, the High Court had ordered payment of one-third of the salary arrears of KSRTC employees for the months of July and August in cash and the remaining amount, Onam bonus and coupons for purchase of food items and clothes.

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 salary arrears and bonus. The employees were opposed to the proposal to issue coupons. The labour unions including CITU have informed that they won't take the coupons. The CITU stated that the decision to issue coupons is insulting to the workers and will object in a meeting with the Chief Minister.