K’taka govt e mployees await March salary amid fund concerns

GFXHit by poll guarantee? March salaries delayed across several departments as of April 18 Payments usually made by first week of April Technical glitches and financial constraints cited as cause for delay Allegations emerge that Rs 6,000 cr was diverted to Gruhalakshmi scheme Bengaluru: Salary payments for March to Karnataka govt employees across several departments have been delayed, leaving many staff members unpaid even as of April 18. The delay has raised concerns among employees and sparked questions about fund availability and administrative processes.Employees in key departments such as revenue, education, police, animal husbandry, and information and public relations, who usually receive their salaries within the first few days of the month, are among those affected. While some employees received their salaries around April 9–10, a large number are still awaiting payment. Sources within departments attribute the delay to a combination of technical glitches and financial constraints. The delay has stretched beyond the usual lag seen at the end of a financial year. "Usually after the financial year ends, there is a delay of one or two weeks. This three-weeks delay is unprecedented," said an education department official.Allegations have also surfaced suggesting that funds were diverted to the Gruhalakshmi scheme ahead of the Davanagere South and Bagalkot bypolls held on April 9. The govt is said to have diverted about Rs 6,000 crore as payment was due for about three months.Officials in the treasury department said efforts are under way to arrange funds and expressed hope that pending salaries would be disbursed by Monday. However, uncertainty persists for many of the state's estimated 6.4 lakh employees.Teachers say the delay has disrupted household finances at a crucial time of the year. "This is the time we pay school fees and for uniforms. The delay is worrying," said a teacher in Sanjaynagar, Bengaluru.An employee from the stamps and registration department said their department was yet to receive funds required to disburse salaries, indicating gaps in allocation and release of grants.While C S Shadakshari, president of the Karnataka State Government Employees' Association, described such delays in April as not uncommon and largely technical, another association member reported widespread complaints, particularly from teachers. "We heard that the finance department has been releasing grants partially for payment of salaries," the office-bearer added.However, Ritesh Kumar Singh, principal secretary, state finance department, dismissed claims of salary funds being diverted to the Gruhalakshmi scheme. "In some departments DDOs (drawing and disbursing officers) are a little laidback. Salary disbursement is delegated to the department heads. There is no reason why a govt official will not get his salary," he added.Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.