Odisha Legislators May Get Salary, Allowance Revision as Parliamentary Panel Calls for Review

Bhubaneswar: A Parliamentary Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances has recommended a review of the existing salary structure, allowances and other benefits available to legislators and former legislators in Odisha.

The committee, currently visiting Bhubaneswar, held separate meetings on Sunday with Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling and Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout, along with senior officials.

The discussions focused on the remuneration and allowances provided to serving Members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, besides the pension and other benefits available to former legislators.

As part of the deliberations, the committee placed a comparative statement before the state authorities detailing the salaries, allowances and facilities provided to Members of Parliament and legislators in different states. These provisions were compared with the existing benefits available to sitting and former legislators in Odisha.

After examining the details and holding discussions with the concerned authorities, the panel noted that Odisha’s current salary and allowance provisions for legislators and former legislators require revision.

The delegation was led by committee chairman and MP Birendra Prasad Baishya. MPs Vijay Kumar Dubey, Veena Devi, K. Gopinath, Babu Singh Kushwaha and Richard Vanlalhmangaiha were also part of the team. Parliament Director Vatsala Joshi accompanied the delegation.

The committee’s visit is expected to contribute to the ongoing assessment of the state’s existing provisions and may pave the way for changes in the salaries, allowances, pensions and other facilities extended to present and former legislators in Odisha.