Says discretionary fund at disposal of CM and ministers should be used for COVID-19 relief works
Chandigarh, April 07, 2020: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today while welcoming the NDA government’s decision to cut salaries of MPs by 30 per cent, asked chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh to reciprocate this gesture immediately and cut salaries of all ministers, legislators, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of different Corporations and Boards as well as Advisors and Officers of Special Duty (OSDs) by 30 per cent immediately for the financial year 2020-21 to create more funds to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement here, the SAD President said salaries of all political appointees as well as technical experts hired by the Punjab government should be cut by 30 per cent on the pattern of the central government.
Mr Sukhbir Badal also asked Capt Amarinder Singh to issue instructions putting a ban on all foreign travel by government functionaries for the current financial year which should also cover the chief minister. He said similarly government advertisements should not be issued for the current financial year to ensure funds could be made available for improving the health infrastructure and providing all necessary safety gear to health workers.
Mr Badal also requested the chief minister to issue necessary directions to ensure the discretionary fund at the disposal of the chief minister and ministers was also dedicated exclusively for COVID-19 relief works for the 2020-21 financial year. He said similarly the entire Rural Development Fund (RDF) as well as funds of the Mandi Board for the current financial year should be earmarked exclusively to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.