Kerala: Salary delay strikes Government employees for the first time in State history

For the first time in the history of Kerala, Government employees’ salaries have been delayed. March 4 is the fourth working day, including Sunday. Despite the repeated assurances from the Finance Minister’s end, fulfilling it appears to be impractical. Primarily, the delay was attributed to technical issues, like the transfer of funds from the treasury to bank accounts and of those sorts. There was no hint of any serious issue! However, right-thinking people say that the State is in a severe fiscal plight.

2.75 lakh Government employees expected salaries within the first three working days; now, it is not sure whether all employees can be satisfied. Some people believe that only those scheduled to get the pay on the first working day may receive the package immediately, and others might receive fixed withdrawals or instalments, hence extending the total disbursement till the 12th of the month.

But, the media reports are not music for the employees’ ears. They say that the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues are fortunate enough to get the salaries, sans fail, on the first day of the month. The Finance Department has its own justification for this disparity: For the officials, it is the Treasury Savings Bank. However, employees use Employees Treasury Savings Bank (ETSB) accounts. However, employees argue that their accounts have been frozen, thanks to the insufficient funds.

CPM-led Left Democratic Front keeps on playing the blame game. CM and the entire cabinet keep saying that it is all because of the Union Government’s non-cooperation. But, the Union Government, especially Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, has been explaining the actual situation both before the media and even during public speeches. But, the Kerala Government would not agree. They keep on sticking to their gun. But now, people are slowly understanding what is what.

At the same time, people are really upset with the State Government because of the extravagant spending spree they practice. The Rs 1.4 crore worth bus for the travel of the entire cabinet in connection with the Nav Kerala Sadas, crores of rupees spent for Sadas, crores of rupees spent for Mukhamukham programme, crores for the renovation of the Ministers’ residences, etc. And, to add insult to the injury, Finance Minister K N Balagopal was scheduled to accord a costly lunch on March 4 for the 400 officials of the Ministry of Finance. Media reports suggest 32 dishes and a total cost of Rs 5 lakhs!

In view of the aforementioned, Keralites do not know where do they pin their hope for a better life and better future.