The Finance Department’s abrupt decision to freeze the processing of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) arrear bills has triggered strong resentment across Kerala’s academic community.
The academic community felt that the move, justified by the government on grounds of financial constraints, violates their right to receive promotion-linked salary benefits earned over years of service.
In its order, the Treasury Directorate instructed district and sub treasury officers across the State not to process arrear bills of teachers promoted under CAS. The order has caused unease among university and college faculty, who view it as a denial of their legally sanctioned dues.
The directive comes shortly after another government order restricting promotions to the post of Senior Professor. Academic circles say the back-to-back decisions strike at the core of academic progression and recognition. They also undermine the intent of policies designed to reward merit and long-term service.
Adding to the discontent is the unresolved issue of the revised pay structure for the period 2016 to 2019. Several thousands of university and college teachers lost out on these benefits after the State’s dispute with the Centre resulted in the forfeiture of the 7th University Grants Commission (UGC) pay revision arrears, amounting to over ₹1,500 crore, for the period from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2019. Under the reimbursement scheme, both governments were to share the financial burden equally.
“For many, the suspension of arrear payments is not a one-off financial decision, but part of a larger pattern of neglect toward the higher education sector,” a university professor rues.
The teaching community also stated that arrears are not discretionary payouts, but legally mandated entitlements. Continued disregard for such rights, they warn, could erode morale and discourage new talent from entering academia.
Faculty members also caution that the government’s reluctance to commit resources to higher education may be perceived as an attempt to weaken public institutions, which could ultimately aid privatisation in the sector. Staff unions are expected to petition the government to revoke the order and restore payments.
Official sources attributed the decision to its prevailing financial constraints, prompting the government to prioritise spendings in key sectors.
Compounding the strain, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government recently announced a slew of welfare measures ahead of the local body elections, including raising social security and welfare fund board pensions to ₹2,000 a month and introducing a new ₹1,000 monthly Sthree Suraksha pension. Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal had stated that these commitments will add nearly ₹10,000 crore to the government’s financial burden.
Published – November 26, 2025 08:09 pm IST
