Starting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the salaries of Central ministers and Members of parliament will be slashed by 30 per cent for the coming year in view of the coronavirus outbreak and the expected downturn in the economy, the Union cabinet has decided. Making the announcement this evening, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and all state Governors have voluntarily decided to take a 30% salary cut.
The money will go to the country’s consolidated fund, the minister said after the cabinet approved the Ordinance amending the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954. The salary cut comes into effect from April.
At the meeting through video-conference Javadekar said a first since the coronavirus crisis started – the Cabinet also approved the move to suspend the MPLADS scheme for two years. Rs 7,900 crore from the MPLADS scheme will go to Consolidated Fund of India.
The meeting was held soon after the Prime Minister had addressed the BJP workers, warning them to be prepared for a long battle.
The Prime Minister said on the party’s 40th Foundation Day that it is going to be a long haul, ‘we do not have to tire, our resolve and mission are to emerge victorious in fight against this pandemic’.
