KOCHI: While considering the salary petitions, the High Court asked whether the dissatisfaction of unpaid workers in KSRTC is not a major security threat. "Don't make employees unhappy. If that happens, there will be serious consequences.", the court observed.

The court also referred to the incidents of vehicles being turned into 'killing machines' in foreign countries. "The monthly income crossed Rs 200 crores because of the employees working. But how can they live without salary? It should not be thought that this is a case against the government."

MD Biju Prabhakar told the court that 90-95% of the employees are working responsibly. "Even after travelling innnova three times in Thiruvananthapuram city, people will become destitute. As such, the service of the employees who provide the service up to ten hours through the busy traffic is commendable. Most of them are old buses. The accident rate is low and buses are not stranded on the road because of the efficiency of the employees", he said. Meanwhile, the MD added that few people are problematic.

90 crores for salary

Average monthly income................... 220- 230 crores

Expenditure other than salaries..............203- 205 crores

Money required to pay salary.................90 crores

Pension................................................... 70 crores

KSRTC Assets.....3,670 Crore (2014 Estimates)