PM Modi asks, Sonia Gandhi suggests: Will they be considered in fight against coronavirus

New Delhi : Two days after PM Modi connected with the Opposition leaders, asking them about suggestions to tackle the current situation of coronavirus pandemic in India, Sonia Gandhi has shared her suggestion with him in a written letter.

Opposition party leader Sonia Gandhi asked PM Narendra Modi to suspend Rs 20,000 crore central vista beautification and construction project forthwith. "Austerity measures which can be used to divert much needed funds to fight against Covid-19 are need of the hour," the Congress president has said in her letter.

She also mentioned the intentions behind writing a formal letter to the PM. "In your call yesterday, you very kindly asked me to convey to you any suggestions our party has to meet the grave challenge of Covid-19. It is in this spirit that I write to you."

Among other suggestions, she has also asked the ruling party to cut down all advertisement budget - TV, print and online – for a duration of up to 2 years.

I am certain that you will find value in these suggestions, Gandhi further wrote in her letter.

The letter from Sonia Gandhi comes a day after the BJP announced that Prime Minister, other ministers, and parliamentarians will be taking a cut of 30% in their salaries for one year.

In addition, the President, the Vice President and the governors of states have also decided to take salary cuts.

The president, vice president and governors have also volunteered to take a 30% cut. The governors are paid Rs three lakh and fifty thousand each.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chaired the cabinet meeting and then a meeting of his council of ministers. Both were conducted over video conference.