Bhubaneswar: Ruling BJP MLAs in Odisha on Thursday urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider the proposal over the threefold hike in salaries and allowances of Odisha legislators, amidst public criticism.
A crucial meeting of the BJP legislative party was held on Thursday at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar where Health and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling announced that the MLAs, respecting public sentiment, have submitted a written proposal to Odisha Chief Minister urging a review of the salary and allowance hike.
The Odisha Assembly passed four key amendment bills that increased the monthly package of MLAs from around Rs 1.11 lakh to Rs 3.45 lakh. Similarly, the Chief Minister will draw Rs 3.74 lakh a month, the Deputy CM Rs 3.68 lakh, Cabinet Ministers Rs 3.62 lakh and Ministers of State Rs 3.56 lakh under the revised structure.
The Speaker’s salary and allowances have also been hiked to Rs 3.68 lakh. The Deputy Speaker will receive Rs 3.56 lakh while the Leader of the Opposition and Government Chief Whip will draw a monthly salary of Rs 3.62 lakh each.
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The BJP MLAs urged Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to reconsider the recent decision to triple the salaries and allowances of legislators.
Speaking to the media, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said that the written representation, emphasising the need to respect public sentiment and review the salary hike passed unanimously by the Odisha Assembly on the final day of the winter session on December 10, was made during the legislature party meeting at the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar.
Though the Bills were passed unanimously, they were yet to get assent of the Governor.
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Several people and organisations, including CPI(M), have submitted petitions to the governor urging him not to give assent in view of the adverse public opinion.
Sources said the meeting also discussed BJD president Naveen Patnaik’s move to forgo the enhanced salary and allowances.
CPI(M) Laxman Munda was the lone lawmaker, who abstained from the House when the Bills were passed.
Social media users highlighted the income gap between legislators and the people they represent, noting that an MLA’s annual income now stands at about Rs 41.4 lakh.
Four Bills related to salary hike of lawmakers – Odisha Legislative Assembly Members’ Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker’s Salary and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Odisha Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker’s Salary and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and The Odisha Ministers’ Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – are awaiting assent of the governor.
With inputs from PTI
