Odisha MLAs Unite for Salary, Pension Hike

Bhubaneswar: MLAs of the Odisha Assembly irrespective of their parties demanded a hike in their salary and increase in pension provided to the former legislators citing the rising costs of essential items and healthcare expenses.

The legislators wanted the MLA Development Fund Grant to be increased from the present Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore and their salaries is hiked to Rs 2.5 lakh per month. They were also of the opinion that the former MLAs of the Odisha Assembly should get a pension of Rs 70,000 per month.

BJD leader Pramila Malik said Odisha is ranked 27th in the country in terms of salary of MLAs. According to her, a committee had earlier recommended that the salary of MLAs should be increased to Rs 2.5 lakh and the pension of former MLAs should be increased to Rs 70,000.

The Deputy Chief of Opposition, Pratap Deb, said that the MLA Development Fund grant should be increased from the present Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore.

Congress MLA Ramachandra Kadam also wanted hike in the MLA Development Fund along with the salary of MLAs and pension of former MLAs.

BJP MLAs like Bhaskar Madhei and Sanatan Bijuli supported these demands.