New Delhi: Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a Bill to reduce for one year the salaries of MPs by 30 per cent “to meet the exigencies” arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced in the Lower House on Monday. It 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.

Responding to the demand by opposition members to restore MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), he said: “Whatever decision we have taken on MPLADS is temporary and only for two years.” It was decided by the government to suspend the MPLADS funds for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Under the scheme, members of both Houses can recommend development programmes involving spending of Rs 5 crore every year.