New Delhi, (IANS) The Supreme Court Monday warned the Kerala government that it would face a scrutiny of expenses on ministers and legislators if part-time teachers were not paid their arrears, pending for 17 years, by this month.

A bench of Justice B.N. Agrawal and Justice G.S. Singhvi gave this warning to the state government, rejecting its argument of paucity of funds.

“We can’t go by your claims. If you do not comply with the order by Sep 30, we will have to review the expenses incurred on your ministers and MLAs,” the bench warned state counsel who assured the court that the state would abide by its direction.

“Your chief minister travels by which class, economy or business?” the bench asked in a lighter vein.

The remark came against the backdrop of the central government’s austerity drive, forcing its minister to fly economy class and shun five-star hotels.

The bench made the observation while hearing a lawsuit by the Kerala’s Aided Higher Secondary Teachers Association seeking the arrears of the part-time teachers of the government and aided schools.

Kerala counsel pleaded that the state was not able to implement its Aug 19, 2008, decision for the payment of arrears with retrospective effect from 1992 due to lack of funds.

-- IANS