Bhubaneswar, March 28: Cutting across party lines, Odisha legislators on Friday urged Speaker Surama Padhy to issue a ruling, directing the State government to increase the salary and pension of MLAs and ex-members.

The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, who highlighted the financial hardships faced by ex-MLAs due to inadequate pensions that do not align with inflation.

She stressed that the last salary revision for MLAs took place in 2017 and called for an urgent revision. Her demand was supported by members from both the Opposition and treasury benches.

BJP MLA from Khalikote, Purna Chandra Sethy, also supported the proposal, saying he understands the financial difficulties faced by ex-legislators. He urged the Speaker to direct the government to implement the Madhei Committee’s recommendations retroactively from June 2024.

Earlier, the State government had formed a committee, led by Udala BJP MLA Bhaskar Madhei, to review the demand for salary and pension hikes. The panel has already submitted its report with recommendations.

The salary of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members was recently raised to Rs 1.24 lakh per month from Rs 1 lakh, whereas the daily allowance was increased to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 earlier.

Similarly, the pension of former MPs has been increased to Rs 31,000 per month from Rs 25,000 at present.

Sources indicated that the earlier committee recommended increasing an MLA’s salary from Rs 1 lakh per month to Rs 2.5 lakh.

Currently, each MLA in Odisha receives Rs 1 lakh, which includes Rs 35,000 as salary and Rs 65,000 as allowances, per month excluding a daily allowance of Rs 1,500 per session day and travel reimbursements.

An ex-MLA in Odisha gets Rs 35,000 per month for one term.