THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new order in KSEB restricted salary hikes and other benefits to employees without the approval of the Government. Prior approval from the government and the finance department should be obtained before giving any new benefit. With this, the possibility of getting benefits including arrears has faded.

In the year 2022-23, the loss KSEB incurred is 1023.62 crores. 75% of this amount, which is the liability of Rs 767.71 was taken by the government. The new order asking to curtail all such benefits came after the government took over the liability.

If steps are taken to improve the power sector, the state can borrow an additional 0.5% of the gross domestic product. GSDP is Rs 11 lakh, so the government will be able to take an additional loan of 5500 crore rupees. It is to help KSEB get more loans that the government has adopted these strict measures.

KSEB has been an enduring loss for nearly a decade. And for all this long, there were no restrictions on providing benefits to employees. The government has not even approved the steep hike in salaries made by the board two times in recent years.