Bhubaneswar, Dec 4: The Odisha Assembly has constituted a committee to recommend the state government for demand by MLAs across party lines on Tuesday to increase their salaries and enhanced pension for former lawmakers.

The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik, and members from both Congress and BJP supported it.

Mallik emphasised the need to increase the pension of former members of the House amid rising prices of essential items and medical expenses.

Speaker Surama Padhy took the demand positively and announced the formation of a committee headed by BJP MLA Bhaskar Madei.

The panel will recommend the Odisha government on the amount of salary rise after studying the salary and pension payment in other states.

Mallik also urged for an increase in the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore.

Tags: prameyanews