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Maharashtra ministers accept salary cut

As a sequel to the white paper published on the state's economic health, the Maharashtra cabinet on Wednesday approved the decision to enforce a ten per cent cut in wages and perks of ministers. This was disclosed to newspersons by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Deshmukh stated that instead of asking the officers and people to opt for austerity measures, the ministers themselves have decided to take the lead. Besides the ten per cent cut in wages and perks, there is an addition thirty-five per cent cut in telephone expenses.

Furthermore, private secretaries of ministers will now not be able to avail air travel fares. Instead, they will have to travel by road or rail.

The chief minister also stated that both he and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal will trim their respective secretariats. Surplus staff will be sent back to their parent departments. At present, the Chief Minister's Office has a staff strength of 121 employees, Deshmukh said.

Cabinet ministers in the state receive Rs 18,000 per month while ministers of state receive Rs 17,000 per month.

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