KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday said that the salary of KSRTC employees for July should be paid by August 25 and nobody should starve on Onam. This was clarified by Justice Devan Ramachandran while considering the petitions against delay in salary and pension. The single bench also directed the government to inform the court about the salary issue when the court considers the petitions again on August 21.

At present, KSRTC needs the assistance of the government. The single bench said that it did not receive any answer when it asked about the alternative mechanism to change this situation. KSRTC's lawyer said that although the government had announced that Rs 30 crore was sanctioned to pay salaries for July, KSRTC has not received the amount so far.

The government clarified that it will give a proper explanation on the salary issue after holding a high-level committee meeting in which finance, transport, and labor ministers and trade union leaders will be present. The petition was subsequently adjourned.