KSRTC salaries to be paid on time with govt support: Transport minister

Thiruvananthapuram: The salary crisis in KSRTC is over and from next month, salaries will be paid on the first of every month, said transport minister KB Ganesh Kumar on Tuesday.
"KSRTC salary crisis is being resolved. From now on, salaries will be paid on the first day of every month. Last month's salary will be available from this evening. Salaries will be provided with govt assistance," said Kumar.
"Govt has given around Rs 10,000 crore in various phases and will continue to provide Rs 50 crore monthly to KSRTC. Now the management is able to provide the salaries on time due to its achievement in cost-cutting measures," he added.
Kumar said that a Rs 100 crore overdraft would be taken from SBI and will be repaid when the govt provides funds. "A plan for this is being worked out under management control. The Rs 100 crore overdraft will be repaid in two instalments when govt provides Rs 50 crore. The remaining amount will be paid from the revenue and cost-cutting. The overdraft will be cleared within 20 days," he said. The 148 accounts KSRTC held were closed, and only the overdraft account will remain, he added.
He said that pensions would also be paid on time, with 5% of revenue set aside for it. Within two months, pensions will be distributed regularly and PF benefits will also be provided promptly, he added.
Kumar said that when he took over as minister, the chief minister asked him to ensure that all employees receive their salaries together. The finance minister provided significant assistance to KSRTC to tide over the crisis, he said.