In a first, PM Modi chairs Cabinet
meet via video link
New Delhi, Apr 6
(PTI) In a first, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a
meeting of the Union Cabinet on Monday via video link amid the nationwide
lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Besides Modi,
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah were present at the
prime minister's official residence along with some senior officials, other
members of the Cabinet were connected via a video link from their offices and
residences.
In the last Cabinet
meeting on March 25, the large oval table at the 7, Lok Kalyan Marg was gone,
and Prime Minister Modi and his ministerial colleagues sat in chairs kept at
quite a distance from each other as they practised 'social distancing' to
prevent a possible spread of the novel coronavirus.
Usually, the Cabinet
meetings are held around the oval table.
The prime minister
has been pitching for "social distancing" to check the spread of
coronavirus and as part of it he announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown.
Before chairing the
Cabinet meet, the prime minister chaired a meeting of the council of ministers
via video conference on Monday morning. Pictures showed that while Modi, Singh
and Shah were at PM's residence, the ministers were connected via video link.
Amit Shah compliments PM for MPs'
salary cut
New Delhi, Apr 6
(PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday complimented
Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Union Cabinet's approval for reduction of
allowances and pension of all MPs by 30 per cent, and said the Parliament of
the world's largest democracy stands together in these challenging times.
The home minister
also thanked President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and
State Governors for voluntarily deciding not to take 30 per cent of their
allowances for one year.
"I congratulate
PM @narendramodi ji, as cabinet approves the Ordinance for reducing allowances
and pension of all MPs by 30% for a year," he tweeted.
Shah said the Modi
cabinet has also approved the temporary suspension of MPLAD fund for two years
and the fund will go to the Consolidated Fund of India.
"The Parliament
of the world's largest democracy stands together in these challenging times. I
thank all the parties and MPs for their support.
"I also thank
the President of India, Vice President and Governors who have decided to contribute
voluntary to this noble cause," he said.
The Union cabinet on
Monday approved an ordinance to reduce the salaries, allowances and pensions of
Members of Parliament (MPs) by 30 per cent for one year and the amount will be
utilised in the fight against coronavirus.
The President, Vice
President, Governors of States have also voluntarily decided to take a pay cut
as a social responsibility, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said.
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