The state government employees of Karnataka can heave a sigh a relief as the Karnataka Finance department has issued orders saying that they would get salary for the month of April without any pay cut. According to an order by Secretary to Government (B&R) Finance Department Ekroop Caur, delegating financial powers for April to additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries or secretaries to government, "Funds can be released upto 1/12th of budget provision presuming concurrence of Finance Department."
 
It said the order has been issued to delegate financial power for the month of April 2020. Delegation for the subsequent period will be issued based on the developments towards end of May, it said.
 
Due to the prevailing situation of lockdown following COVID-19, the revenues of state government are severely constrained.
 
Restrict expenditure
 
In view of this it is imperative for the government to restrict its expenditure to most essential items like salaries, pensions, social security pensions, food security and basic administrative expenditure, the order in its preamble said. Needless to say all expenditure on fighting COVID-19 will be given utmost priority, it added.
 
Further, administrative departments have been asked to communicate within a week, a list of schemes if necessary, which the finance department feels need to be implemented in public interest even during the lockdown period or once it is partially relaxed. The Finance Department would take a call on implementing such schemes by issuing separate delegation order, it added.