Maharashtra CM, cabinet to take a 60% pay cut for this month

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the country, and to financially assist the state, Maharashtra today announced a pay cut for all government employees. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is also the state finance minister, said the decision has been taken after consultation with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and various unions of employees. In an official statement, Pawar announced a 60 per cent cut in the March salaries of the chief minister, all other ministers, MLAs, MLCs and representatives of local governing bodies. "The salaries of Class I and II will be cut by 50 per cent while that of Class III employees will be cut by 25 per cent. There will be no cut in the salaries of remaining classes in the state bureaucracy," he said. The decision has been taken after a detailed deliberation with various unions of employees, he said. "I hope the public representatives will cooperate with the state finance department as a strong financial support is required for the state in this ongoing fight against coronavirus," he said. Pawar said the state's economy has been affected due to the coronavirus crisis and reduction of resources following the lockdown. In a similar move, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday has announced that his salary would be cut by 75%, and that state ministers and members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will also face a three-fourth salary cut.