Lok Sabha has passed a bill to reduce the salaries of MPs by 30 percent for one year to meet the exigencies arising out of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the media reports, the salary, allowances, and pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced in the Lower House on Monday.

The bill will replace the salary, allowances and pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. 

The ordinance was cleared by the Cabinet on April 6 and promulgated the next day.

Replying to the debate on the bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that funds are needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and “charity should begin from home”.

He also said that the economy was affected due to the lockdown, and in such a situation, the government has taken important decisions to deal with the crisis.