COVID-19: HC stays Kerala govt order for employees' salary cut

Kochi, Apr 28 () The Kerala High Court on Tuesdaystayed for two months the operationalisation of the stategovernment order to deduct the salary of government employeesfor fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued the interim orderconsidering a batch of petitions filed by a section ofemployees and their organisations challenging the governmentdecision. In its order, the government had said the stategovernment employees' salary for six days every month would bededucted for the next five months.

"This would be applicable to employees of all state-ownedEnterprises, Public Sector Undertakings, Quasi-Governmentorganisations, Universities, etc in the state," the order hadsaid.

However, it had made it clear that there will be nosalary cut for those staff who earn less than Rs 20,000 permonth.

The order also stated that ministers, MLAs, various Boardmembers, Local body institution members, members of variouscommissions would receive 30 per cent less salary for oneyear. COR TGBROH ROH