Argus News - Odisha MLAs’ Salaries, Pensions Hiked

Bhubaneswar, Dec 9: On the concluding day of the Winter Session, the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed an amendment Bill significantly increasing the salaries, allowances, and pensions of sitting and former legislators, as well as those of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Under the revised provisions, legislators will now receive nearly double their earlier remuneration. Monthly salaries have been raised from around Rs1 lakh to approximately Rs 3.5 lakh, with substantial hikes in allowances including constituency visits, committee meetings, vehicle expenses, and medical reimbursements. For instance, constituency and Lok Seva Bhavan visit allowances have been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 75,000, while committee meeting allowances have doubled from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000. Vehicle allowances have risen from Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 per month, and medical expenses from Rs 5,000 to Rs 35,000.  

The Speaker’s salary has been revised from Rs 40,500 to Rs 98,000, with personal expenditure allowances raised to Rs 1.81 lakh. The Deputy Speaker’s salary has been enhanced from Rs 38,000 to Rs 94,000, with similar increases in allowances. Former legislators will now receive a pension of Rs 80,000 per month, up from Rs 30,000, with additional increments for multiple terms. Medical allowances for former members have also been raised to Rs 25,000.

The Bill also provides for a one-time payment of Rs 25 lakh to the family of a legislator in the event of their death. Importantly, the amendment allows the state government to revise salaries and allowances every five years through independent legislation, without requiring Assembly approval.

The move was supported across party lines, with ruling and opposition members voicing agreement during the debate. Leaders including Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, Congress MLA Rajan Ekka, BJP MLA Agasti Behera, and former legislator Santosh Singh Saluja welcomed the decision, noting its significance for legislators’ welfare.

The Winter Session, which concluded after 11 working days instead of the scheduled 29, saw the passage of seven government Bills, including this amendment. The session was also notable for President Droupadi Murmu’s historic address to the Assembly on November 27, the first by a President of India.