In a significant move reflecting public sentiment, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in Odisha have formally asked Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider the recent Bills that more than tripled their salaries and allowances. The decision, which created the highest-paid state legislators in the country, has drawn sharp criticism from civil society and opposition parties.
MLAs Respond to Public Sentiment, Submit Written Request
The appeal was made during a meeting of all party MLAs and ministers with the Chief Minister at the state BJP headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling confirmed that the MLAs signed a written application to CM Majhi, requesting a review of the hike plan. He stated that the legislators acted in response to the growing public resentment over the steep increase.
"There was a discussion on the recent Bills passed. The MLAs requested the CM to reconsider and discuss the hike plan again, respecting public sentiment," Mahaling said. State BJP president Manmohan Samal was also present at the meeting where the internal concerns were discussed.
The Scale of the Hike and Political Fallout
The Bills, passed on December 9, resulted in a massive jump in the monthly financial package for MLAs from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3.45 lakh. This figure starkly contrasts with the average annual income in Odisha, which stands at approximately Rs 1.83 lakh. The hike also included:
- Chief Minister's remuneration rising to Rs 3.74 lakh (retrospective from June 5, 2024).
- Salaries for ministers and the Leader of Opposition increasing to Rs 3.62 lakh.
- Pension for former MLAs revised from Rs 30,000 to Rs 80,000 per month.
- A new monthly travelling allowance of Rs 12,500 for ex-legislators.
The move created an awkward political situation. Although the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supported the four Bills in the assembly, its leader and former chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, wrote to CM Majhi on December 13. In his letter, Patnaik announced he would forego the enhanced salary and allowances and divert the amount for the welfare of the poor. Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA Laxman Munda had opposed the Bills during the assembly session.
Government's Next Steps and Withdrawal of Bills
In light of the backlash and the MLAs' own request, the state government has decided not to send the originally passed Bills for the assent of Governor Hari Babu Kambampati. Instead, government sources indicate that revised Bills will be introduced in due course. This step back demonstrates the impact of sustained criticism from social outfits and the general public on the government's policy decisions.
The episode highlights the delicate balance between compensating public representatives and maintaining fiscal prudence and public trust, especially in a state where the legislators' new monthly package now far exceeds the yearly earnings of an average citizen.
