Bhubaneswar: Moves are afoot to take necessary measures for a hike in the salaries and perks of the Odisha MLAs, who had raised a demand for an increase in the last session of the Assembly.
According to reports, a committee constituted by the Assembly Speaker for the purpose is considering the demand for a salary hike of legislators.
Senior BJD MLA Amar Prasad Satpathy, who heads the committee, is reported to have said that the salary of an MLA of other states is around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh, while it is over Rs 98,000 in Odisha. A report is likely to be sent to the Assembly Speaker suggesting a hike in the MLAs’ salary and perks.
It is pertinent to mention here that the state Assembly members, cutting across party lines, had demanded a hike in their salaries in the House in July this year in view of the price rise of all essential commodities.
Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Majhi of the BJP had reportedly said that there has been a price escalation in the market and the salary of MLAs should also increase accordingly.
Congress whip Taraprasad Bahinipati had supported the BJP member’s demand and claimed that lawmakers in other states get much more than the amount received by the Odisha MLAs.
Claiming that many sitting MLAs also face “financial constraints” but are unable to speak out, BJD’s Amar Prasad Satpathy had said the salary, travel allowance, pension and medical payment should be increased.
In view of members’ concern about their salaries, Speaker B K Arukha suggested the state government consider their demand.
Subsequently, the Speaker announced an all-party committee headed by Amar Prasad Satpathy to study the demand for a hike in salary and perks of the MLAs and pension of former MLAs.
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