KSRTC's Onam Reality: A Bonus Beyond Reach for Most Staff

As Kerala gears up for the vibrant Onam festivities, a somber mood prevails within the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). What should be a time of celebration and reward has instead turned into a moment of widespread disappointment for its dedicated workforce, as a new government policy has drastically slashed the number of employees eligible for the coveted Onam bonus.

The stark reality is unsettling: a mere handful – fewer than ten KSRTC staff members – will qualify for the bonus this year.

This alarming figure stems directly from a revised policy introduced by the state government, which now uniformly applies across all public sector undertakings (PSUs) in Kerala. The new rule dictates that only employees whose annual salary, including bonus, does not exceed 25% of their total pay, and whose monthly earnings are below Rs 30,000, are eligible for the festive incentive.

For the vast majority of KSRTC employees, this threshold is an insurmountable barrier.

Even the most junior or temporary staff within the corporation typically earn above the Rs 30,000 monthly mark. Consequently, thousands of workers who diligently keep Kerala's public transport moving find themselves excluded from the very bonus designed to bring cheer during the state's most significant festival.

Instead of a bonus, those deemed ineligible will receive a modest advance of Rs 1,000.

While a gesture, this amount falls far short of previous years' festive provisions. For instance, employees received Rs 2,750 as an Onam advance last year, and a more substantial Rs 5,000 for Vishu earlier this year. This significant reduction in financial aid during a peak celebratory period has naturally fueled considerable dissatisfaction and frustration among the workforce, who feel undervalued and unsupported.

Even employees with less than six months of service will receive a proportionate bonus or advance, but this does little to alleviate the broader discontent.

Despite the government's recent approval of a substantial Rs 100 crore for KSRTC salary distributions, the bitter pill of bonus ineligibility and meager advances continues to overshadow the festive spirit for its dedicated personnel.

This Onam, for the KSRTC family, will be less about grand celebration and more about navigating financial constraints, a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by the backbone of Kerala's public transportation system.