From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Apr 9: As part of the measures to mobilise funds to tackle the Corona Virus (COVID19) pandemic, salaries and allowances of all MLAs, MLCs, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Chief Whips, Chief Minister and all other ministers in Karnataka will be slashed by 30% for one year.
The measure on cutting salaries and allowances taken at the State Cabinet meeting held in Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Thursday, the State exchequer would save Rs 15.36 crore for one year.
Briefing reporters on the decisions taken at the State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said an ordinance would be promulgated for effecting the cuts in salaries and allowances for a year.
Madhuswamy mentioned that the Union Cabinet has already taken a decision on reducing salaries of MPs by 30% and suspended MPLAD funds for two years to mobilize more funds in a fight against COVID-19.
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala too has agreed for 30% cut in his salary, the minister said.
However, he said no discussions were held so far on slashing salaries of the government employees whose number is more than six lakh.
The Opposition Congress has already opposed reduction in salaries of the government employees with newly appointed KPCC President D K Shivakumar said the government employees had to maintain their families and look after the educational and other needs of their families and any reduction in their salaries would severely affect the families.
Ministers favour extending Lockdown for 15 days
The Cabinet State held a detailed discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on the economic activities and daily lives of the people and decided to take a decision on extension the lockdown based on the suggestions given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his videoconference with Chief Ministers of all states on coming Saturday (April 11).
All the Ministers felt the need for continuation of lockdown for another 15 days after April 14, the minister said.
“We will take appropriate decision after a virtual meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chief Ministers of states on April 11 to chart out the future course of action on the 21-day lockdown,’’ said Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
“We will take appropriate decision whether to continue the lockdown after 14 or hotspot districts to be controlled. We will abide by the suggestions of the Prime Minister,’’ he said.
Ordinances:
Meanwhile, the State Government has decided to promulgate an ordinance for extending Goods and Service Tax (GST) return filing for March, April, and May to June 30, 2020.
The Centre has already issued a notification for extending the time limit.
The Government has also decided to promulgate an ordinance for withdrawing cases registered against farmers under the land grabbing prohibition act.
Farmers of Kodagu, Shimoga, and Chikkamagaluru districts who had applied for regularization of lands have been slapped with land grabbing cases.
Farmers have been cultivating these lands for several years and applied for regularization of lands.
However, under the Karnataka land grabbing prohibition act, cases have been registered against farmers.
It has been decided to amend the law to bail out farmers from land grabbing cases through the ordinance route, Madhuswamy explained.