THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The management of the ailing KSRTC has decided to curb expenses in a bid to give salary to its employees before fifth of next month. There will be strict restrictions on expenses including medical expenses and benefits of retired personnel.

Though, the corporation received good revenue this month, the uncertainty in the payment of Onam bonus and festival allowance still continues. There is little chance that these payments will be made any time soon.

In addition to make sure that salaries are given on time, the single duty in Ordinary buses will begin next month. According to the government, single duty means an 8-hour duty within 12 hours. Labour unions have an issue with this definition of ‘single duty’. During their meeting with the Chief Minister, the leaders of TDF and BMS said that they will accept only an 8-hour duty each day.

However, through a write-up in the magazine ‘Chintha’, the Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, made it clear that single duty with 4-hour rest will only be acceptable. This has prompted the Congress backed trade union, Transport Democratic Federation (TDF) to go on strike indefinitely from October 1st.

The KSRTC management has decided not to pay the salary for those days the strikers do not come for work.