Cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar has welcomed the idea that 25 percent of MLAs’ salaries should go to the people in distress during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“There is no denying that farmers, daily wage labourers, taxi drivers and others are the worst hit in this pandemic because they cannot earn their livelihood during the lockdown and the various restrictions imposed,” Tongkhar told Highland Post today. “This is the reason that in every review meeting I have always stressed that we need to be thoughtful while imposing certain restrictions because these sections of society are worst hit whenever the lockdown and other restrictions are imposed.”
Informing that the deduction of 10 percent from MLA salaries to the Chief Minister Relief Fund continues to date, he said that he would be more than happy if 25 percent is deducted from the legislators’ salaries in order to provide more assistance to those in need.
Tongkhar, however, said that he has no information about any central government funds released to the states to combat the coronavirus.
Recently, opposition MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh has questioned the state government whether it is true that Meghalaya has received around Rs 1,000 crore from the Centre to go towards purchasing Covid vaccines and other expenses.
Tongkhar also urged the public not to take the coronavirus lightly and stated that even if the government starts relaxing many of the restrictions, the public should understand that this does not mean that the virus is gone but is only to help the people with their daily activities and livelihoods.
