Image Source: PTI

The Union Cabinet has sanctioned reduction in allowances and pension of Members of Parliament by 30 per cent for one year to fight coronavirus, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Monday. President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, as well as governors of various states, have voluntarily decided to take a pay cut, the minister said after a Cabinet meeting held through video conferencing on Monday. MPs' salaries will be slashed through an ordinance that the Cabinet has cleared, the minister said. Javadekar said prime minister and Cabinet ministers will also take a 30 per cent pay cut. “Annual allocation for MPLADS is Rs 7,900 croe. This fund will also accrue in Consolidated Fund of India,” Javedekar said at the press briefing on Cabinet decisions. The money will go to the Consolidated Fund of India, Javadekar said. The salary cut and MPLADS is keeping with the spirit in this fight against COVID-19, he said. The Cabinet meeting was preceded by a meeting of Council of Ministers where COVID-19 was discussed. The prime minister and ministers decided to take the cut as “Charity begins at home” and the Cabinet too approved this landmark decision, Javedekar said. It also reflects the will of MPs and sends a right signal. As for now, the Central government employees have contributed one-day’s salary to the PM fund.