Corporation’s response sought for non-payment of salary to KSRTC Employees: Kerala High Court
The High Court of Kerala, through learned judge, Justice Justice Devan Ramachandran, sought Corporation’s Response for non-payment of salary to KSRTC Employees while hearing writ petition, R. Baji & Ors. v. KSRTC & Ors. W.P(C)No.15353 of 2022
BRIEF FACTS OF THE CASE: Employees of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) filed a writ petition alleging that they were not paid salary on time, and at times, the salary was due even after several days. The plea also alleged that the officers and supervisory personnel of KSRTC were paid their salary on time and that KSRTC first services their loans with the available income, thus relegating the payment of the wages to other employees. Learned Counsel for the KSRTC tried to account the various issues and impediments faced by KSRTC, including the inordinate hike in the price of petrol and diesel. The petitioners sought that the officials and supervisory personnel of the KSRTC were not to be paid their salaries until such time as theirs and that of other similarly placed persons.
JUDGEMENT: The Court held that it is inevitable that the plight of KSRTC employees cannot be lost sight of and that they have to be paid salary without any avoidable delay. The Court observed that it could not place reliance on the excuses of KSRTC. The Court observed that the request of the petitioners to be paid salary along with other officers and supervisory personnel of KSRTC is justified. Further, the Court remarked, “if the Corporation is not able to achieve operational profits, then it would have to rely on the Government to step in and make good the loss.” The Court observed that only after hearing the response of KSRTC, it would pass such orders as necessary for ensuring that the issue is resolved, if it so becomes warranted. Time was granted to KSRTC till the next posting date.
JUDGEMENT REVIEWED BY – AMRUTHA K