KOCHI: 76,907 establishments have not paid their dues to the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishment Workers' Welfare Fund Board for months. The state government is facing a huge liability because not a third of the 2,18,438 establishments registered with the board have not paid their dues.

Although institutions have not been paying their dues for months, the government is still paying pensions to members without keeping even a single month's payment as arrears. If institutions do not pay their dues, there is a possibility that welfare pension and other benefits will be suspended.

The board, which has 17,96,451 members, provides education benefits, marriage benefits, maternity benefits, financial assistance related to miscarriage, medical assistance, post-mortem expenses, post-mortem a

See Full Page