Kerala Transport Minister C P John said the KSRTC pension hike has been deferred. The move reflects mounting debt and weaker-than-expected revenue at the corporation.KSRTC pension increase put off as debt-hit corporation awaits revenue growth (File photo)Thiruvananthapuram,Nov 2, 2026 18:49 ISTKerala Transport Minister C P John on Monday said an increase in pensions for retired Kerala State Road Transport Corporation employees had been deferred because the corporation was facing heavy debt, news agency Press Trust of India reported.John said the KSRTC had borrowed about Rs 3,000 crore at an interest rate of 10.1 per cent.
It also owed Rs 995 crore to its employees and Rs 250 crore to contractors.Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, the minister said these liabilities had not arisen in the past four or five months. He added that the corporation's revenue had also not increased as expected, according to PTI."Once there is a proper increase in the revenue of KSRTC, we will do it (hike in pension).
We will increase the DA and salaries also. We are not saying we will not.
It has only been deferred to good times," John said. He was responding to questions about a recent government order that reportedly said pensions for retired KSRTC employees would not be increased at present.John said the corporation had taken several steps to raise revenue, including entering the logistics sector by using trucks and providing courier services.
Meanwhile, KSRTC pensioners claimed that United Democratic Front leaders had promised during the Assembly election campaign to increase their pensions if the Congress-led alliance came to power in Kerala. The minister, however, said the increase had only been deferred until the corporation's financial position and revenue improved.- Ends