BJP MLAs Urge Odisha CM to Reconsider Threefold Hike in Legislators’ Salaries

Bhubaneswar: Legislators of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider the Odisha government’s decision to implement a threefold hike in the salaries and allowances of elected representatives.

The BJP MLAs submitted a written petition to the Chief Minister during a meeting held at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. In the petition, they requested a review of the Bills passed by the Odisha Assembly on December 9 that provide for an increase in the salaries and allowances of MLAs, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers and Ministers.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the request was made in view of public sentiment. “The BJP legislators today urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the proposed hike in the salary and allowances of the MLAs. Respecting public opinion, they have submitted a written request,” he stated.

It may be noted that the Odisha Assembly had cleared four Bills approving a threefold increase in the remuneration of legislators. Following the revision, the monthly salary of an MLA has been increased to Rs 90,000 from Rs 35,000, while allowances have been enhanced to Rs 2.55 lakh from Rs 65,000.

Under the revised structure, the Chief Minister will receive a monthly package of Rs 3.74 lakh, while the Assembly Speaker and Deputy Chief Ministers will receive Rs 3.68 lakh. Cabinet Ministers and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) will receive Rs 3.62 lakh, and Ministers of State Rs 3.56 lakh.

The decision, however, has drawn criticism from various quarters. A few days after the Bills were passed, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik announced that he would forgo the increased salary and allowances. In a letter to the Chief Minister, Patnaik urged that the funds instead be utilised for the welfare of the poor in Odisha.