India / All MPs, PM, President, Vice President to take 30% salary cut for 1 year

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday cleared an ordinance to slash salaries of parliamentarians and ministers by 30 per cent for one year.

The Cabinet also decided to suspend the MP local area development scheme for this duration and transfer the money into the government’s consolidated fund.

Union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters that President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and governors had also offered to take the 30 percent cut in salaries.

The decision came hours after PM Modi told BJP workers to prepare for a long haul. The country and its people can’t afford to get tired or rest in this long war, he said.

“This is a landmark decision that sends the right signals,” Javadekar told reporters.

More than the money, the minister said, the importance of the gesture was to send the right message.

The minister explained that an ordinance was required since salaries of MPs and other dignitaries were determined by law. “Charity begins at home,” he said.