The salary revision in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) came into effect Thursday after the management and major trade unions signed the agreement.

As per the revised scale, the basic pay of KSRTC employees has been hiked from Rs. 8,320 to 23,000. The state government had put forth the proposal before the unions in early December, which was reported by Onmanorama.

Minister for Transport, Antony Raju said that the revision will cost the state government Rs 15-16 crore in additional monthly expenses.

"But we have great expectations from employees. Now that they are happier, hopefully, they will adopt a friendly approach toward revenue generation," Raju said.

Biju Prabhakar, Chairman & Managing Director of KSRTC, and the presidents of CITU, Anathalavattom Anandan, Transport Democratic Federation (INTUC), Tampanoor Ravi, and Kerala State Transport Employees Sangh (BMS), GK Ajith were the other signatories.

 

Minimum physical duty set
Minister Raju said that with the signing of the agreement, the employees are bound to serve "a minimum of 190 physical duties" a year.

"If that condition is not met, it will affect certain benefits, including pension," said Raju. "That is essential for the smooth functioning of KSRTC. We have seen services being dropped due to employees not arriving."