BJP MLAs urge CM Mohan Majhi to reconsider Odisha’s 211% MLA salary hike amid public backlash, with the Governor likely to review the Bills
OdishaPlus Bureau
In what can be described as a reversal, BJP MLAs from Odisha on Thursday urged Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to reassess the contentious 211% increase in the salaries and allowances of MLAs, recognizing the importance of honoring public sentiment regarding a decision that has positioned the state’s lawmakers as the highest-paid in the nation.
This matter was brought up during a BJP Legislature Party meeting held at the party’s state headquarters, which was attended by CM Majhi, Deputy CM Pravati Parida, and state BJP president Manmohan Samal, along with all ministers and party MLAs.
“We engaged in a comprehensive discussion regarding the proposed salary increase and allowances for both current and former lawmakers in the House. In deference to the feelings of the public, all BJP lawmakers have requested CM Mohan Majhi to reconsider this decision,” stated Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling following the meeting.
BJP MLAs also presented a written petition asking the CM to review the four bills that were passed in the Odisha assembly on December 9, which raised the salaries and allowances for legislators, the speaker, the deputy speaker, the chief minister, the deputy chief ministers, and the ministers.
Last week, four distinct bills were approved unanimously, raising the monthly salaries of MLAs from ₹1.11 lakh to ₹3.45 lakh, CMs from ₹98,000 to ₹3.74 lakh, ministers from ₹97,000 to ₹3.58 lakh, and speakers from ₹97,500 to ₹3.68 lakh, with the changes taking effect retroactively from June 2024. Notably, no MLA, including opposition leader Naveen Patnaik, voiced any objection to the salary increase during the Bill’s discussion, although the former CM later sent a letter to Majhi expressing his desire to decline the increased salary.
“I would like to request you to utilise the same for the welfare of poor people of our state,” Patnaik stated in his correspondence, but he faced criticism from Congress and BJP leaders who labeled it as “political grandstanding.” The sole CPM MLA, Laxman Munda, also expressed his disapproval of the salary increase.
This increase places Odisha ahead of traditionally higher-paying states like Telangana, where MLAs earn approximately ₹2.50 lakh monthly, and Maharashtra, where the salary is around ₹2.52 lakh. In Uttar Pradesh, MLAs receive ₹1.87 lakh after a modest 30-40% raise earlier this year. Karnataka’s recent 100% salary hike has brought MLA salaries to ₹1.60 lakh, while the salaries for legislators in Delhi and Kerala remain at ₹90,000 and ₹70,000, respectively.
Data from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) indicates that 107 of the state’s 147 MLAs are already millionaires, comprising 52 from the BJP, 43 from the BJD, nine from the Congress, one from the Left, and two Independents. There has been significant public discontent regarding the salary increase, especially considering that the Assembly convenes for only about a month each year.
Nevertheless, senior government officials indicated that no definitive decision has been made regarding the reduction of the pay increase. “Despite the public outcry, MLAs from various political parties are united in their support for the pay hike. The Governor may send the Bills back for further consideration, and new Bills could be introduced in the upcoming session. All options remain available,” stated the official from the parliamentary affairs department.
Nonetheless, not all opinions within the ruling party are in agreement. Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta supported the pay increase, asserting, “If a leader is unable to provide financial support, the public no longer views them as effective. We are required to participate in numerous events, and to effectively manage the organization and maintain connections with the community, financial resources are crucial.”
