THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 'I don't even have money to buy medicine. Isn't there a limit to borrowing and asking children? When will this suffering end? Will the government give attention to people like me only if one of us commits suicide? Is this misery a reward for serving KSRTC when I was in good health?'' The 72-year-old retired KSRTC employee from Neyyatinkara asked almost bursting into tears. He narrated his ordeal with a request to remain anonymous.

40,000 KSRTC pensioners, including him, are suffering as they have not received their pension for three months. Even inpatients are included in this list. Last month, the transport department sent a letter to the finance department demanding 80 crores to settle the arrears of one month, but no decision was taken. Earlier, pension was provided through primary cooperative societies. The contract was not renewed after July when the societies demanded more interest on the loan amount. Although the finance department has put forward a proposal to form a consortium of societies and transfer the amount in the old way, the process has not started. In July and August, the amount for pension was directly handed over to KSRTC by the finance department.

Financial crisis is an obstacle

There is a High Court ruling that pension should be distributed within five months of every month, but it is not being implemented due to financial crisis. The amount for pension is sanctioned by the government from the annual financial assistance to KSRTC.