KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday said that the state government's intervention is necessary to pay salary and pension in KSRTC. The court directed the government to take steps to pay the salaries before July 26, when the petitions related to this will be considered again. Justice Devan Ramachandran also directed the government to disclose the amount required to pay the pensions if it is unable to disperse the pensions by this date. The court gave the order while considering a batch of petitions filed by KSRTC employees and retired employees citing delay in distribution of salary and pension.

As per the direction of the High Court, KSRTC MD Biju Prabhakar appeared online and explained the financial situation of the corporation. He told the court that the corporation is unable to provide the salary for June without the assistance of the government. He also said that KSRTC needs more time to pay the salaries and pensions. He explained with figures that a large percentage of the corporation's monthly revenue is being used for the repayment of loans.

The special government pleader stated that the government has no plans of shutting down KSRTC. When the court asked if there were any alternative means to help the corporation, the government pleader replied that the management should consider that. However, the court held that the entire responsibility cannot be placed on the shoulders of the management. KSRTC is a corporation under the control of the Department of Transport. Hence, the responsibility lies with the government, the court said.