THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Complaints have arisen regarding the Finance Department's lack of decision-making on pension reform within the Water Authority. Pensioners' organizations have expressed concerns that Finance Minister KN Balagopal has yet to sign the necessary documents, despite the Water Authority's readiness to assume responsibility for the 9,800 pensioners.

In 2021, a government-appointed commission recommended pension reform alongside salary adjustments. However, the government did not give due consideration to the pension aspect. The last pension revision occurred in 2014. Although the file was initially transferred from the Finance Minister's office to the pension division of the Finance Department within the secretariat, it was subsequently halted. It was proposed that a reassessment of the Water Authority's financial viability through potential increases in drinking water rates should be conducted for six months before pursuing the reform. In July, the file returned to the minister's office but no further action was taken. Pensioners are apprehensive that the reform may once again be postponed.

If the drinking water rate were to increase by Rs. 10 per kilolitre, the Water Authority anticipates an additional income of Rs 400 crore. This amount could cover the costs associated with implementing the pension reform. Additionally, organizations are pointing out that the Khadi Board has successfully revised its pension plan.