Written By: Prashant Singh
Edited By: Harish Dugh
Updated: Tue, Mar 24, 2020
11:58 AM IST
11:58 AM IST
ZeeBiz WebDesk
Narendra Modi Yoga videos: PM shares 3D animated videos on Twitter
Yoga With Modi YouTube Videos Playlist: Want to know how he remains so fit? Here is the open secret
Mann Ki Baat: 'Seek forgiveness for imposing coronavirus lockdown' - What all PM Narendra Modi said 
Coronavirus: Proud moment! Twinkle Khanna reveals story behind Akshay Kumar's Rs 25 cr donation
#IndiaFightsCorona: Paytm to donate Rs 500 crores; takes this amazing initiative - PM Narendra Modi lauds itAs India is leaving no stone unturned to fight coronavirus, Modi government is showing its utmost care towards every citizen. Now, giving a major relief to outsourced professionals and contractual workers in central government offices, ministries and departments in a latest decision, Modi government has taken a big decision.
Full pay even during corona lockdown
The Finance Ministry's Department of Expenditure on Monday announced that all contractual worker in such departments would receive their full pay during the lockdown period in several states amid the coronavirus crisis. The instruction shall be in force till April 30, said an official memorandum by the Department of Expenditure.
On duty: Full salary
In a tweet, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that due to isolation measures to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, several contractual workers may be unable to attend work, and the Finance Ministry has issued orders to declare this period as "on duty" and wages will be paid accordingly.
"Due to social distancing and isolation measures to contain the spread of COVID19, there is a likelihood of number of contractual labour & outsourced staff working for Govt of India being unable to attend work, resulting in deduction in wages, thus causing hardship to them (1/2)," she said.
"The @FinMinIndia has issued orders to declare this period as `on duty` and wages paid accordingly. (2/2) #IndiaFightsCorona," the minister said in a second tweet.
The office memorandum issued by the Department of Expenditure said that the instruction shall also apply to subordinate offices and statutory bodies of the Central government.
TWEETS BY FINANCE MINISTER
The @FinMinIndia has issued orders to declare this period as "on duty" and wages paid accordingly. (2/2) #IndiaFightsCorona
— NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) March 23, 2020
Meanwhile, nearly 500 coronavirus cases have been reported in India so far, according to Health Ministry data on Tuesday. According to the data updated Tuesday morning, the total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 492, including 446 active cases. The figure includes 41 foreign nationals and the nine deaths reported so far, the Health Ministry said.
West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh reported a casualty each on Monday while seven deaths were earlier reported from Maharashtra (two), Bihar, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab. Thirty-seven people have been cured/discharged/migrated, it added.
The number of active cases at 446 saw an increase of 22 from last night's figure.
As cases of the viral infection surged, authorities have put almost the entire country under lockdown, banning gathering of people and suspending road, rail and air traffic till March 31.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
