Odisha CM to draw Rs 3.74 lakh monthly salary, MLAs to get 3.45 lakh after pay hike

The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday approved a significant revision to the salaries and allowances of its members, raising the monthly package of MLAs from around Rs 1.11 lakh to Rs 3.45 lakh. The hike, among the highest for legislators in the country, will be implemented retrospectively from June 2024, when the 17th Assembly came into existence.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the House unanimously passed four Amendment Bills that increase the pay, allowances and pension of MLAs, ex-MLAs and holders of constitutional posts. The salaries of the Chief Minister, Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Leader of Opposition have also been tripled.

Under the revised structure, an MLA will draw Rs 90,000 as basic salary, along with Rs 75,000 as constituency and secretarial allowance, Rs 50,000 towards conveyance, Rs 50,000 as fixed travelling allowance, Rs 35,000 as medical allowance, Rs 20,000 for electricity charges, Rs 15,000 for telephone expenses and Rs 10,000 for books and journals.

Former MLAs will now receive Rs 1.17 lakh per month, including Rs 80,000 as pension, Rs 25,000 as medical allowance and Rs 12,500 as travelling allowance. They will also receive an additional Rs 3,000 for each term served.

The Chief Minister will draw Rs 3.74 lakh per month, the Speaker and Deputy Chief Minister Rs 3.68 lakh each, while Cabinet Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition will get Rs 3.62 lakh. The government Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip will receive Rs 3.62 lakh and Rs 3.50 lakh, respectively.

The bills also provide Rs 25 lakh assistance to the family of any sitting MLA in the event of death, and introduce a mechanism to revise pay and pension every five years. One bill additionally allows future hikes to be carried out through ordinance.

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Members across party lines supported the move, calling the revision necessary to align compensation with current responsibilities and economic realities.