COVID-19: Karnataka Ministers, legislators to take 30 per cent pay cut for a year

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COVID-19: Karnataka Ministers, legislators to take 30 per cent pay cut for a year
(Eds: Updating with other Cabinet decisions)

Bengaluru, Apr 9 () Ministers and Members ofLegislature in Karnataka will take a 30 per cent cut each intheir salaries and allowances to fund the fight againstcoronavirus in the state, for a year.

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An ordinance to reduce the salaries of Ministers andLegislators by 30 per cent for one year to meet the exigenciesarising out of COVID-19 pandemic was approved by the statecabinet headed by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday.

"...we have cut by 30 per cent salaries and allowancesof all Ministers, MLAs, MLCs, also Speaker, Deputy Speaker,Chief Whip every one for one year from April 1, amounting toRs 15.36 crore," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J CMadhuswamy said.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, hesaid, "we have consent from all the political parties forthis, so we have passed the ordinance today."

The Union Cabinet on Monday had approved a 30 per centcut in salaries of all Members of Parliament and a two-yearsuspension of the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme.

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The cabinet on Thursday also approved two moreordinances, including the one with regards to deferment of GSTremittance until June.

"We have passed the ordinance deferring the demand ofGST taxes, they were due by this month, government of Indiahas made a provision to pay the GST taxes till June-end, so wehave followed the suit and we have also amended the law,"Madhuswamy said, adding that an ordinance giving relaxationfor farmers in a few districts facing cases under theprovisions of Land Grabbing Act, has also been approved.

The Minister said the cabinet has also decided totemporarilydistribute rations for two months to over 2 lakhpeople without ration cards, whose applications are pendingbefore the Revenue department.

Aimed at helping farmers involved in floriculture whoare affected by lockdown with no marriages or functions, theChief Minister asked Ministers to calculate the area underflower cultivation and estimated loss, he said, adding thegovernment after considering loss, plans to give themcompensation.

Later speaking to reporters, Chief Minister B SYediyurappa said Ministers have been told see to it that thereis no shortage of seeds and fertilizers for farmers.

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There are reports of paddy crop being destroyed due tohailstorm in parts of Koppal, he said, adding the agriculturedepartment and district administrations have been asked tosubmit the estimates of loss. KSU SS
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