Mumbai: Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced salary cuts for their public representatives and officials. The cash strapped Maharashtra government differed part payment of March salaries to its employees, including the CM, Cabinet ministers and all MLAs.

The decision also applies to employees in semi-government establishments, universities and even allied organisation. Salaries of police and health staff who have been working round the clock to curb the Covid-19 outbreak will be affected too. Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar clarified that the salaries been cut this month will be paid in two installments over the next few months.

The cabinet ministers and all MLAs will be paid 40% of their salaries for March. Class 1 and 2 employees will be paid half salaries and class 3, 75% of their salaries, but class 4 employees will get their full salaries.

The Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa said the Karnataka government will not cut the salaries of its employees and legislatures, even though the covid-19 pandemics have hurt the state finances sharply.