THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Contrary to their earlier stand, the KSRTC authorities on Tuesday said they would file an affidavit in the court requesting not to raise the pension age from 56 to 58. KSRTC general manager R Sudhakaran assured that the affidavit, which will be given on Wednesday, will favour the argument that the pension age of the employees should not be raised.
The KSRTC general manager’s assurance came after DYFI activists gheraoed him in his office at the Transport Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, demanding a written assurance that the affidavit will not favour raising pension age. The case in this regard will be heard in the High Court on Wednesday.
Earlier, the board of directors of the KSRTC had suggested to raise the pension age. But, the government rejected it stating that since KSRTC is under the Kerala Service Rule, the suggestion could not be implemented.
“Things got complicated when the standing counsel of both the KSRTC and the government kept mum when the case came up for hearing in the court a few days ago. The court then passed an interim order stating that the KSRTC employees who are to retire soon can continue to work. But, they would not be able to avail themselves of the benefits. This order is applicable until the court pronounces a final verdict in this regard,” said A A Raheem, DYFI state committee member.
However, the KSRTC general manager refuted the allegations made by Raheem. Lashing out against the KSRTC authorities, Raheem pointed out that raising the pension age would leave many applicants in the lurch. “Besides, once this happens, other departments too would try to follow suit,” he said.
Though the activists tried to enter the MD’s cabin, it was locked from inside.