Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and fellow commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra have decided to take a voluntary 30 per cent cut in their basic salaries for one year to fund fight against the spread of coronavirus outbreak, following the example of the president, vice-president, Prime Minister, the Union council of Ministers and members of Parliament. The decision was taken at a meeting held between chief election commissioner Sunil Arora andelection commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra.
The three commissioners, including the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), are entitled to a salary which is "equal to the salary of a judge of the Supreme Court", according to the provisions of a law governing their conditions of service. Supreme Court judges draw a monthly salary of Rs 2.50 lakh, besides other entitlements.
"The numerous steps being taken by the Government and civil society organisations require vast resources for which contribution from all sources, including reducing the burden of salaries on the exchequer, might be helpful...
"The commission has decided to contribute in the form of voluntary reduction of 30 per cent in the basic salary paid by the Election Commission to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners for a period of one year commencing April 1," the EC said in a statement.
Union Ministers and MPs have recently taken a 30 per cent cut in their salaries and some allowances to fund fight against COVID-19.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has given up a year’s salary to help the State fight the Covid-19 crisis. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan too announced a cut in salaries of Government employees. Maharashtra, which is bearing the brunt of the coronavirus crisis, has decided to pay the salaries in instalments.