THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government allowed only Rs 30 crore for KSRTC to pay salaries, pensions, and onam benefits to employees. Interestingly, KSRTC has earlier demanded Rs 220 crore to end all ongoing strife of uneven payment of salaries.

The employees are dismayed as it is more or less confirmed about their onam falling in quandary. The income of KSRTC in July is Rs 190 crore and the expense is Rs 250 crore. CITU and TDF jointly called for a strike on August 26th against the stalled salary distribution. According to inside details, KSRTC is passing through one of the worst crises the department has hitherto experienced.

Rs 80 crore is required for one month's salary distribution. On another note, the pension for two months is also in arrears. Rs 71 crore is required for one month's pension distribution. Rs 20 crore is also required for the distribution of the Onam bonus.

Although pension distribution is through cooperative societies, the contract has not been renewed yet. With such a predicament, the management won't in the rarest of dreams imagine handing over an advance salary to its employees. Nevertheless, the management has alerted the government about the issue. The government can save face if the last month's salary is distributed before the day of the strike.

Transport Minister Antony Raju has hinted about conducting a discussion with the trade union leaders after receiving assurance from the Finance Department. The Rs 30 crore allowed yesterday is yet to reach the account of KSRTC. Earlier too, the allowed money reached late into the account which added to the worries. The current allowed money will not even suffice to pay half of the employees' salaries.