CAN WE CONTINUE TO ENHANCE THE STAFF STRENGTH OF THE GOVERNMENT OF KERALA

As on 1 January 2021 there are 5,22,223 people working in various departments of the government of Kerala. They are in the salary range between Rs 23,000 to Rs 1.66 lakhs pm. According to the report of the New Indian Express dated 12th Aug 2021 the Onam bonus paid to them was Rs 311 crores. As per the revised budget of 2020-21, the state had to spend 30% of its revenue receipt as salary of government employees and 21% to the pensioners. According to a report by Malayala Manorama dated 9 December 2021 KSRTC has revised the salary of its employees ranging from Rs 8,320 to Rs 23,000. This will make huge liability on the corporation which is already running on loss. The state of Kerala is understood to have a liability of Rs 3.27 lakh cores in this financial year.

Since the government do not have any source of income for the repayment of interest and principal amount of the loan and to meet the running expenses, the government may do good efforts to stop adding burden to the exchequer. More important is to bring down the current expenses as far as possible. The following are submitted for the concerned for early implementation.

1. Avoid all fresh recruitments for a minimum period of 3 years. In case of urgent requirements, those may be filled with staf from other departments.

2. Personal staff of ministers may be replaced with existing staff on government roll.

3. Video conference may be used instead of personal visit by officials, as far as possible.

4. Foreign travel by all may be freezed for a minimum period of 2 years.

5. Minimum 50% fuel cut may be imposed in all staff vehicles.

6. Revenue sources may not be allowed to be plugged by corrupt elements.

K V George