After facing opposition over the contribution of one month's salary of all state government officials towards the CM's COVID Relief Fund, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday came out with another proposal: six-day salary deferment in the next five months as a temporary measure. That would mean a month's salary in five months.
"Everyone should cooperate and come to the state's help," said Pinarayi.
The state government earlier this month had decided to defer one-month salary of all government employees as a contribution to the CM COVID-19 relief fund, sparking opposition from various quarters.
The Chief Minister, however, insists that he has the support of government employees and the associations that represent them.
"Even with two floods (last year and in 2018), we have been able to grow above 7%. This pandemic has badly hit the economy. We are a consumer state, solely dependent on tourism and the diaspora, both are struggling now. Our various demands and requests with the Centre have been shot down. But we have to move forward... we are getting a good response from the people towards the CM COVID Relief Fund," Pinarayi told the media.
He said the latest proposal is that all employees should contribute six day's salary every month for the next five months, temporarily.
"The salary of ministers, legislators and other people's representatives will be cut by 30 per cent every month for a year," said Pinarayi.
The salary deferment is temporary and it will be returned when the state's economy springs back to normal, he added.
The deferment would apply to all state-owned enterprises, public sector undertakings, quasi-government organisations, universities etc. but those earning less than Rs 20,000 a month would be exempted.
The Telangana government in March had announced a major salary cut for all government officials in the state for the month of April including pensioners. The cut, according to the government, was needed since COVID-19 has adversely impacted the state's economy.
It was also announced that there will be 75% cut in the salaries of the Chief Minister, ministers in the state cabinet, Members of Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly members, state corporation chairpersons and representatives of local bodies.
There also will be a 60% salary cut for bureaucrats and other such central services officers. All other categories of employees will face a 50% salary cut.