Mizoram govt employees to forego part of their salaries to aid state amid COVID-19 outbreak

Aizawl, May 5 () Employees of the Mizoramgovernment will forego a part of their salaries to aid thestate financially in the fight against the coronavirusoutbreak, official sources said on Tuesday.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended byrepresentatives of various associations of governmentemployees, chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo and othersenior government officials, they said.

Group A, B and C employees will forego 10 per cent oftheir basic pay, while Group D employees will give up 5 percent of basic pay, the sources said.

They will forego the part of their salaries from Mayto December

The meeting was attended by at least 75 associationsof government employees.

Chuaungo briefed the associations about theunprecedented crisis being faced due to the coronavirusoutbreak.

He said it is not yet known how much the outbreakwould affect the economy and impede development.

The state has already began to face an economic crisisbecause the quantum of funds it receives from the Centre hasconsiderably declined, he said.

Even though central funding has been considerablyreduced, crores of rupees have to be spent in the fightagainst COVID-19 beyond the annual budget, Chuaungo said.

He urged all government employees to make collectiveefforts to join the fight against the outbreak in view of thegradual economic slowdown.

Although different proposals and suggestions were putforth by various associations, the meeting unanimously agreedthat the employees will forego a part of their salaries.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief SecretaryJC Ramthanga, Finance Commissioner Vanlalchhuanga, PlanningSecretary C Vanlalramsanga and Home Secretary Lalbiaksangi,among others. CORRSOM SOM