COVID-19: Odisha opp leader for scrapping MLALAD fund, slashing of lawmakers' salaries

Bhubaneswar, Apr 7 () Leader of Opposition in theOdisha Assembly Pradipta Naik on Tuesday urged the stategovernment to take steps to suspend the MLA Local AreaDevelopment (MLALAD) fund for two years and slash salaries ofministers and legislators by 30 per cent for a year as it willprovide additional funds to fight COVID-19.

Taking a cue from the Centre which has approvedan ordinance to reduce salaries of all sitting MPs by 30 percent for one year and suspend the MP Local Area DevelopmentSchemes (MPLADS) for two years, the senior BJP leader said,the Odisha government should adopt similar measures in view ofthe coronavirus pandemic.

The salaries of political leaders holding posts ofchairperson and president in various state PSUs, councils,corporations and other government bodies should also bereduced by 30 per cent, he said.

I request the state government to suspend the MLALADfund for two years. Salaries of ministers and MLAs should alsobe cut by 30 per cent for at least one year in view of thecoronavirus crisis, he told .

The MLAs in Odisha are entitled to Rs 3 crore eachunder the Local Area Development Fund for carrying outdevelopmental activities in their constituencies.

Maintaining that the entire country is fighting tocontain the spread of the virus, Naik said,Being peoplesrepresentatives, we have a significant role at this juncture.

Suggesting formation of a special fund with the moneyobtained from the proposed suspension of the MLALAD fund andsalary reduction, Naik said, it should be utilised forcombating coronavirus in an effective manner in the state.

The fund can be of immense help in strengtheningthe preparedness to deal with preventing the spread of COVID-19, he said.

It can also be used for implementation of a long-termplan to strengthen the health sector in the state.

The BJP leader, who also put forward his suggestionsin a series of tweets, said that the state government may alsoconsidering reduction of budgetary allocation for somedepartments and put the money in the special fund as it wouldgo a long way in giving a boost to the health sector.

Urging the state government to seriously considerhis suggestions, Naik said, he will soon send a formal letterto Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this regard. SKNMM MM