THRISSUR: A KSRTC driver staged a different protest against the delay in disbursing salary for the employees again. Driver Aju protested by asking three days leave to go for work on daily wages following the non-payment of salary. Aju is a driver at Chalakudy depot. Aju later told the media that he doesn’t even have the money to fill fuel for his bike and protested due to his financial crisis.

The reason for the delay in salary distribution in KSRTC is the non-transfer of the subsidy provided by the government. KSRTC, which is going through a financial crisis, is paying salaries with the help provided by the government. The chief minister had assured to pay the first installment before the 5th of every month but this was not followed. The government had given Rs 50 crore as assistance until three months ago. It was reduced to 30 crores due to financial crisis. The salary of this month has not been given so far. The salaries for the months of July and August were delayed last year also.

The labor unions accused the management of creating the crisis to eliminate Onam benefits. Two months pension also has to be paid. The pension is presently being paid as per the agreement between KSRTC and Finance and Cooperation Departments. The new contract will be signed in June and the pension got delayed due to this.