The government, semi-government, university employees and elected representatives have been given a pay cut in the March salary as the state, also hit by a lack of funds, tries to divert available resources towards mitigating the COVID-19 crisis. The government said it will let employees know when it can pay the arrears.

Class-D employees and pensioners have been excluded from the cut declared on Wednesday. Class-A and Class-B employees will get 50 per cent salary and Class-3 workforce 75 per cent. Elected representatives, including the CM, deputy CM, ministers, MLAs and MLCs, the presiding officers of state legislature, members of state-run corporations and members of local self-governments will get 40 per cent of their pay.