Odisha Assembly members from various parties unitedly called for an increase in their salaries and pensions for former legislators to cope with expenses and the impact of inflation.
During Zero Hour, the demand was so pressing that it compelled the Speaker to consider a ruling.
BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik initiated the discussion in the State Assembly, proposing that due to the surge in essential commodity prices, MLA salaries should be raised to Rs 2.5 lakh per month, and pensions for former MLAs should be Rs 70 lakh per term.
Mallik mentioned that, if required, the Speaker should establish a new committee to reassess the situation. She suggested that the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund should be increased from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore.
Echoing her, BJD Deputy Chief Whip Pratap Keshari Deb emphasized the necessity of increasing the MLA LAD fund to Rs 5 crore. Deb recalled that a committee formed by the previous BJD government had recommended salary and pension hikes for former MLAs after studying practices in various states. However, the recommendations were not enacted for unspecified reasons.
The Aul legislator highlighted that Odisha’s MLAs receive lower salaries and pensions compared to their counterparts in other states, ranking 27th, and thus warranted a raise. He urged the government to either act on the previous committee’s report or form a new committee to address the salary increment.
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati voiced the developmental needs of his constituents, which he said could not be fulfilled with the existing funds. He also proposed raising the health insurance coverage for journalists to Rs 20 lakh, a motion supported by several MLAs.
A BJP MLA also called for an increase in the special repair fund, critical gap funding, and requested the Speaker to issue a ruling.
Treasury Bench Members Bhaskar Madhei and Sanatan Bijuli also advocated for a salary increase.
Speaker Surama Padhy endorsed the MLAs’ demands, stating that the increase should align with the current needs of the times. She mentioned her intention to inform the Chief Minister of the demands and indicated that the Parliamentary Affairs Minister would present the request to the government.
