New Delhi, Union minister Ramdas Athawale has welcomed the Centre's decision to suspend the MP Local Area Development Schemes (MPLADS) for two years, and urged all the state governments to take steps to scrap the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) fund for two years as it will provide additional funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Athawale also praised the decisions taken by the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh to cut the MLALAD fund for two years and slash the salaries of ministers and legislators by 30 per cent for a year.

"The central government is taking all possible measures to fight against Covid-19 and soon we will arrest the spread of the pandemic across the country", he said.

Athawale added that the efforts against the coronavirus by the police force, central and state governments are commendable.