Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday told the state Assembly that all state ministers, chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS) and Cabinet-rank members won't draw salaries for two months as the state is undergoing a financial crisis.
"After discussing in the cabinet, all the members of the cabinet decided that until the state sees good improvement in the coming times, we will not take any salary, nor TA, nor DA for two months," the Chief Minister said.
"This is just a small amount, but a symbolic one. Apart from this, I also request all the MLAs to also contribute in this regard," he added.
However, the opposition BJP, led by former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, staged a walkout from the Assembly over the Chief Minister's announcement.
"According to the information I have received, they will not take a salary for two months. They have just deferred it since there is a financial crisis in the state. You have created chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS) which cannot be created as per the Constitution. You have given Cabinet, chairman status to many people and all facilities have been given to them. So definitely I believe this is not a solution to all the problems and they have requested all the MLAs," he said.
"I will first find out what the matter is and then after discussing with the MLAs, we will talk about it," Thakur added.
