Odisha government triples MLAs’ salaries to ₹2.75 lakh/month amid inflation concerns. Legislative changes to be formalized soon.
Bhubaneswar,Odisha : The Odisha government has approved a significant hike in the monthly salary and allowances of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), tripling their remuneration to ₹2.75 lakh. The move comes after unanimous demand from lawmakers across party lines, citing rising inflation, escalating healthcare costs, and other financial pressures.
Cabinet Nod for Salary Hike
The state cabinet recently sanctioned this proposal, and an amendment bill is ready for introduction in the assembly. This is expected to be passed in the upcoming budget session. If implemented, each MLA will receive ₹2.75 lakh as a combination of salary and allowances, marking a threefold increase from the current figure.
During the last assembly session, MLAs from all major political parties – BJP, BJD, and Congress – united in calling for a salary hike. The Speaker promptly formed a committee to address their concerns. The committee, led by MLA Bhaskar Madhei, included senior legislators from various parties, who recommended a new monthly remuneration of ₹3.05 lakh.
Salary Hike Stalled by Legislative Delay
Despite rapid preparations for the amendment bill, the decision was deferred as the assembly was adjourned indefinitely. However, the government demonstrated urgency in pushing the proposal forward, completing cabinet approval within a week of discussions in the assembly.
Key Concerns Raised in the Assembly
On December 3, the assembly witnessed a heated debate on the rising cost of living. Legislators highlighted skyrocketing healthcare expenses and inflation, urging the government to adjust their pay accordingly. Odisha’s MLAs currently rank 27th in salary scales nationwide, further fueling their demands.
Some MLAs also proposed increasing the pension for former legislators to ₹70,000 and doubling their Local Area Development Funds to ₹5 crore annually. The committee backed these recommendations, which received cabinet approval.
A History of Incremental Hikes
This is not the first pay raise for Odisha’s lawmakers:
2003 : Salaries were raised to ₹21,950.
2011 : Salaries reached ₹60,000.
2017 : Another hike pushed salaries to ₹1 lakh.
What Lies Ahead
The government has finalized the Odisha Legislative Assembly Members’ Salary, Allowances, and Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2024, along with a corresponding bill for ministers, deputy speakers, and the Speaker. These are expected to be tabled and passed in the next session.
If passed, Odisha’s MLAs will join the ranks of the highest-paid legislators in the country, with a substantial boost to their discretionary development funds as well.
While the decision has been justified as necessary to cope with inflation and market trends, it is likely to spark debates among taxpayers and citizens about the propriety of such a significant pay hike for public representatives.
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