Coronavirus fallout: Indian president, vice president, MPs to take 30% pay cut for a year

India's President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and all members of the Indian parliament have voluntarily decided to take a 30 percent cut in their pay and allowances for a year from April 1, 2020 amid the coronavirus outbreak and the expected adverse effect on the economy.

Governors of all states will also take the pay cut, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The money saved from the cuts will go to the Consolidated Fund of India, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told the media after a cabinet meeting today.

The Indian cabinet today approved an ordinance to amend the salary and allowances of the lawmakers, the minister informed.

The cabinet also cleared a move to temporarily suspend the Member of Parliament local area development fund scheme for two years (2020-21 and 2021-22). Rs 7,900 crore from the scheme will also go to the consolidated fund, Javadekar said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the cabinet meeting held via video conference amid the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah were present at the Prime Minister's official residence, along with some senior officials, while other members of the Cabinet were connected via video.

India has so far reported 109 fatalities in Covid-19 and 4,067 positive cases with 693 cases in the last 24 hours since Sunday, according to a health ministry official.

People aged above 60 years account for 63 percent of the deaths from coronavirus with males account for 73 percent, and female 27 percent, the official added.