The Supreme Court expressed concern on March 14 over Kerala being the only state in which at least 20 people are nominated to ministerial positions for barely two years and thereafter receive a lifetime pension. Justice Nazeer, the lead judge on a Bench that also included Justice Krishna Murari, said he had read about the issue in Kerala in a newspaper report.
“At least 20 people are selected as Ministers for two years, after which they receive a lifetime pension… Please explain why “Senior advocate V. Giri, who is representing the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, was questioned by Justice Nazeer (KSRTC). Higher fuel prices, particularly diesel, have been opposed by the State Corporation, which claims that they will have an impact on public transportation.
Supreme Court pointed this malpractice of Kerala
At one point, Justice Nazeer questioned whether the State was “that wealthy” that it could appoint people for only two years and then pay their pension for the rest of their lives. If that is the case, Justice Nazeer believes the State could easily afford to pay for the fuel.
The judge’s remarks came amid a dispute about ministers selecting certain employees, including party officials, as personal assistants for lucrative pay. After two years as personal staffers, they are entitled to a pension. This practice has been criticized as a drain on the state’s coffers.
“It is the only state that does so… Please inform the state government of our concerns “Mr. Giri was addressed by Justice Nazeer. Mr. Giri assured the court that he would convey the message to the State administration, saying that the media will broadcast the judge’s remarks in the next five minutes, and that it would reach the State government’s ears. Mr. Giri chose to withdraw the KSRTC’s petition.
The firm claimed that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act of 2006 required the establishment of an independent body to set fuel pricing. It had asked the court to intervene in the establishment of the authority, which would be led by a former judge.
The KSRTC also asked the court to prevent public-sector oil companies from selling diesel to bulk buyers at a greater price than the market rate. The company claimed to buy over four lakh liters of diesel every day. According to the report, the purchase costs an extra 19 lakh each day. The increase in prices put the company’s very existence in jeopardy.
According to the petition, the increase was unjust because public transportation vehicles in other nations had lower gasoline rates. According to the petition, the corporation’s service is an “essential service” as defined under the legislation.
It had claimed that the gasoline price decontrol scheme, which had been in use since 2014, had been run in a “shady” way to benefit private players.