Odisha Assembly Notifies Withdrawal of Bills Increasing Salaries of MLAs, Ministers
Odisha Assembly withdraws controversial salary hike bills following public and political pressure.
The Secretariat of the Odisha Legislative Assembly has formally notified members about the withdrawal of four controversial amendment bills that had proposed a threefold increase in salaries and allowances for legislators and ministers. The move comes after widespread public debate and concerns from both the ruling and opposition parties.
In an official communication, Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout informed members that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling has submitted notice to move for leave to withdraw the amendments. The bills set to be withdrawn include the Odisha Legislative Assembly Members’ Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker’s Salary and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Odisha Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker’s Salary and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Odisha Ministers’ Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Passed in December 2025, the legislation had proposed significant increases in remuneration, effective from June 5, 2024. Under the amendments, the Chief Minister’s monthly salary was slated to rise from Rs 98,000 to around Rs 3.74 lakh, while legislators’ pay was projected to increase from roughly Rs 1 lakh to nearly Rs 3.45 lakh, placing Odisha’s MLAs among the highest-paid legislators in India.
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The proposals drew widespread criticism from citizens, sparking debates over the timing and necessity of such a steep hike. Political leaders also voiced concerns. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier announced that he would forego the salary and allowances enhanced for the Leader of Opposition, signaling disapproval within political ranks.
Subsequently, appeals from legislators across both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the BJD urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider the hikes, reflecting mounting political and public pressure. The decision to withdraw the bills aims to address these concerns and restore public confidence.
With the formal withdrawal now underway, the Odisha Assembly has sought to defuse the controversy, signaling responsiveness to public sentiment and intra-party discussions on appropriate compensation for elected representatives.
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