After several States announced to cut 30 per cent salarý of public representatives, including MLAs and MLCs, the Jharkhand Government too is contemplating salary cut of its MLAs in its fight against COVID 19.

The Maharashtra Cabinet headed by Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday announced to cut 30 per cent salaries of its MLAs/ MLCs including ministers and Chief Minister.

Sources said that Hemant Soren government too is planning to make salary cut of its MLAs, however the final decision in this connection is to be taken by State Cabinet. Many MLA have come forward and asked the government to make salary cut. AJSU Party MLA from Gomia Lambodar Mahto has come forward and asked the Soren Government to make salary cut of MLAs in difficult times. He said, “The Soren Govrrnment should come forward and make salary cut of MLAs in such difficult times."

In 81-member Jharkhand Assembly the AJSU Party has only two MLAs. The ruling party JMM has 29 MLAs, while Congress has 18 MLAs. RJD which is also part of government has one MLA. The opposition BJP has 26 MLAs.

The BJP too has no problem in salary cut of MLAs. BJP Hatia MLA Navin Jaiswal said, "The Government should announce salary cut of MLAs. The BJP is ready for salary cut in these difficult times."

Sources said that though opposition party is ready for salary cut the ball is in the court of JMM/ Congress as many lawmakers are first timer or those who have won the election after gap and in this situation government plans to make salary cut will not be an easy task.  A first timer Congress MLA said , "We don’t have problem if government goes for salary cut of lawmakers but before this government should look for other alternative to raise fund for fighting COVID 19."

Many MLAs in State have already announced to give large share from their MLA fund in its fight against coronavirus. Chief Minister Hemant Soren had already announced to give 25 lakh from his MLA fund. However a lot of steps are yet to be taken by Jharkhand government.

Many states including Maharashtra apart from salary cut of lawmakws has also announced to cut the salaries of government employees. As per Maharashtra government decision the salaries of class I and ll will be cut by 50 per cent while that of class lll employees will be cut by 25 percent.

 However, Maharashtra has maximum number of coronavirus patients. Apart from Maharashtra Gujarat too has announced to cut salary of MLAs by 30 per cent.

Moreover last week the union cabinet promulgated an ordinance to reduce the salaries allowances and pensions of members of parliament by 39 per cent for one year. Also the cabinet has approved the temporary suspension of the MPLAD (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme fund during 2020-21 and 2021-22).

The consolidated amount of MPLAD funds for two years Rs 7900 crores will go to consolidated fund of India.