Bhubaneswar: In wake of the situation emerging out of the COVID-19 outbreak, the BJP on Tuesday urged the Odisha government to suspend the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) fund for at least two years.
“While the entire country and all the states are trying their best to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the elected representatives have a major role to play in this critical juncture. In this context, the Centre has slashed 30 per cent salary of the MPs and Union Ministers and discontinued MPLAD funds for a year. Taking this into consideration, I propose the state government to suspend the MLALAD funds for two years. Besides, all MLAs and ministers should voluntarily express their intent for a 30 per cent cut in their salary for at least one year,” leader of the Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik said in a tweet.
The BJP leader said that he has also proposed the government to form a special fund comprising the MLALAD funds and the 30 per cent salary and formulate a long-term plan to utilize them in the healthcare sector and for the treatment of the COVID-19 patients.
