The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed the operation of an order of a single-judge who had directed the State government to release necessary funds to the cash-strapped Kerala State Road Transport Corporation so that it can pay the salary due to its employees. [State of Kerala v R Baji]
A division bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Mohammed Nias CP passed the stay order and admitted the appeal moved by the State government against the single-judge's order.
The single-judge order under appeal was passed on two petitions which highlighted the pendency and delay in payment of salaries to the employees of the KSRTC, which has been the cause of several trade union protests across the State in the recent past.
The petitioners had sought directions to the the KSRTC and its management to formulate a scheme to pay salary to its employees before the 5th day of each month.
The single-judge had issued several orders to the KSRTC suggesting ways to boost its revenues so that its staff can be paid their dues, beginning with the more vulnerable employees.
On August 24, the single-judge directed the State government to release ₹103 crores for the purpose as was requested by the KSRTC.
Subsequently, the State appealed before the division bench against the order, contending that it was not obligated by any contract or statute to disburse funds to the KSRTC to clear its dues.
The matter will be considered next on September 1.
[Read Order]