A joint parliamentary committee has recommended revising the salaries and perks of current and former Odisha MLAs, reviving a contentious issue months after a massive hike was scrapped due to public backlash.
- A Joint Parliamentary Committee has favored the revision of pay and allowances for sitting and former Odisha MLAs.
- The recommendation follows the government's previous withdrawal of a 3-fold salary hike bill due to public outrage.
- Odisha's current legislative pay structure reportedly ranks 24th among all Indian state assemblies.
The Odisha government announced on Sunday that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has recommended a revision of the salaries and allowances for the state's legislators. This move brings back a politically sensitive topic that had been shelved following intense public criticism earlier this year.
The controversy dates back to December last year when the assembly passed bills proposing a staggering three-fold increase in the pay and pensions of MLAs, ministers, and constitutional functionaries. These bills aimed to raise the monthly salary of an MLA from ₹1.11 lakh to ₹3.45 lakh. However, facing a wave of public indignation, the BJP-led government withdrew the four bills on March 26 before they received the governor's assent.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the state government is walking a tightrope between administrative necessity and political optics. While the government cannot afford to alienate its legislators—especially former members facing financial hardship—it must remain cautious of the 'pro-people' image it seeks to project. The reliance on comparative data from other states is a strategic move to justify the hike as a 'correction' rather than a 'bonus'.
According to the Parliamentary Affairs Department, the committee conducted a thorough comparative analysis of the pay structures in other state assemblies and the Parliament. The documents presented to the panel highlighted a significant disparity between Odisha's remuneration and that of other Indian states.
"The disparity in legislative pay across states often leads to administrative inefficiency and personal financial instability for former representatives, necessitating periodic reviews."
Opposition BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera voiced strong support for the revision, noting that Odisha currently ranks 24th in the table of state assemblies regarding pay. He highlighted the precarious financial state of former MLAs, who currently receive a monthly pension of only ₹30,000, which is often insufficient for critical medical expenses.
| Detail | Current Status | Proposed (Withdrawn) |
|---|---|---|
| MLA Monthly Salary | ₹1.11 Lakh | ₹3.45 Lakh |
| Former MLA Pension | ₹30,000 | 3x Increase Proposed |
| National Rank | 24th Position | Targeted Top Tier |
The committee is headed by MP Birendra Prasad Baishya and includes prominent figures such as MPs Bijay Kumar Dubey and Beena Devi, as well as Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy. The panel's findings now place the ball back in the government's court to decide the final quantum of the hike.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did the panel support the salary hike now?
The panel found that Odisha's pay structure for legislators is significantly lower than that of other states and the Parliament.
2. Why were the previous bills withdrawn?
The bills were withdrawn due to widespread public outrage over the steep three-fold increase in salaries and pensions.
