Bhubaneswar, March 28: Odisha MLAs cutting across the party line requested Speaker Surama Padhy to issue a ruling directing the government to raise salaries of MLAs and pensions for former legislators.
This call for an increase in the salaries of MLAs and pensions for former legislators was made during the Zero Hour in the Assembly on Friday by the main opposition party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Notably, the Centre recently raised the salaries, allowances, and pensions for Members of Parliament, effective from April 1, 2023.
Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, who raised the issue, highlighted the financial struggles faced by former MLAs, pointing out that their pensions are insufficient and fail to keep up with inflation.
She argued that the rising cost of living, particularly medical expenses, made it essential to adjust both salaries and pensions.
Mallik emphasized that the last salary revision for MLAs occurred in 2017, and she called for an urgent review in light of current economic conditions. Her appeal was met with support from members across both the opposition and ruling parties.
BJD MLA PK Deb also backed the demand, reminding the House that the salaries and pensions of MPs had recently been revised. He argued that Odisha MLAs should not hesitate to seek a similar revision, especially since the previous government had proposed such a hike, which was delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct for the 2024 elections.
Deb further noted that the then Opposition Chief Whip and current Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had also supported a salary and pension hike for lawmakers.
The state government had previously established a committee led by BJP MLA Bhaskar Madhei from Udala to review the proposal for increasing the salaries and pensions of MLAs. This committee has already submitted its recommendations for revision.
The ruling BJP also expressed its support for the proposal, with BJP MLA from Khalikote, Purna Chandra Sethy, sharing his personal experience as a former MLA. Sethy empathized with the financial challenges faced by ex-MLAs due to insufficient pensions. He urged the Speaker to direct the government to implement the Madhei Committee’s recommendations retroactively, starting from June 2024.
