Relief for PRD’s former contract staff ahead of Onam as Keralam govt clears salary dues

Nearly six months after waiting for their salary arrears, a group of former contract workers from the Information and Public Relations Department’s PRISM project have found relief as the Kerala government released the overdue payments on the eve of Onam. Around 100 employees across the state began receiving their dues on Monday, according to their representatives.

Many of these individuals had been without any income for nearly six months following the conclusion of their extended contract period in May. The employees, who were recruited through examination and interview to communicate the government’s welfare and development programs through the media, were assigned to roles such as sub-editors, content editors, and information assistants.

The monthly remuneration for these workers varied between ₹16,940 and ₹21,780. The total amount of salary arrears amounted to approximately ₹53 lakh. The affected workers had recently written to the I&PRD, voicing their concern during the Onam season and requesting the prompt release of the pending salaries.