Odisha Assembly Announces Withdrawal of Salary Hike Bills Amid Controversy
Synopsis
In an unexpected turn of events, the Odisha Legislative Assembly has officially retracted the amendment bills proposing a drastic salary increase for legislators and ministers, following widespread public discontent. This decision comes as a relief to many who voiced strong opposition to the proposed hike.
Key Takeaways
Odisha Legislative Assembly has withdrawn controversial salary hike bills.
Proposed increases would have tripled salaries for legislators.
Significant public backlash prompted the decision.
Former Chief Minister's actions influenced ongoing discussions.
Political leaders are becoming more sensitive to public opinion.
Bhubaneswar, March 26 (NationPress) The Odisha Legislative Assembly's Secretariat has officially announced the retraction of the disputed amendment bills that aimed to triple the salaries and allowances of both legislators and ministers.
In a formal notice, Secretary Satyabrata Rout informed all assembly members that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling has submitted a request to withdraw the amendments that have generated significant backlash within the state.
The withdrawal includes the following bills: the Odisha Legislative Assembly Members’ Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker’s Salary and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Odisha Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker’s Salary and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Odisha Ministers’ Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Notably, these four pieces of legislation, which were passed in December 2025, ignited intense public discourse regarding the proposed salary increase for Odisha ministers and MLAs by nearly threefold, effective June 5, 2024. The scale of this increase attracted widespread attention across the state.
Reports indicated that the Chief Minister’s monthly salary was expected to soar from Rs 98,000 to approximately Rs 3.74 lakh, while the pay for legislators was projected to rise from about Rs 1 lakh to nearly Rs 3.45 lakh.
With the salary and pension adjustments, Odisha's MLAs would have ranked among the highest-paid legislators in India, leading to extensive public debate and criticism from citizens across various demographics, raising questions about the appropriateness and timing of the increase.
Shortly after the bills were passed, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a letter to CM Mohan Charan Majhi, expressed his intent to decline the increased salary and allowances designated for the Leader of Opposition, a move that resonated throughout the state’s political discussions.
This was soon followed by appeals from legislators in both the ruling BJP and the principal opposition BJD, urging CM Majhi to reconsider the government's decision to increase salaries and allowances for MLAs, ministers, the Chief Minister, the Speaker, and other constitutional officials, reflecting widespread apprehension and fostering discussions in both political and civic arenas.
Point of View
The withdrawal of these salary hike bills reflects a growing sensitivity to public sentiment among political leaders. The significant backlash demonstrates the importance of responsiveness in governance and the need for elected officials to align their actions with the expectations of constituents.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the bills being withdrawn?
The bills include the Odisha Legislative Assembly Members’ Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and others related to the salaries of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Ministers.
Why was there public outcry regarding the salary hike?
The proposed salary increases of nearly threefold for legislators and ministers led to widespread criticism, raising concerns about the appropriateness and timing of such increases.
What was the expected increase in the Chief Minister's salary?
The Chief Minister's salary was expected to rise from Rs 98,000 to approximately Rs 3.74 lakh.
Who initiated the withdrawal of the bills?
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling initiated the withdrawal by submitting a formal request.
What impact did former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have on this issue?
Naveen Patnaik's decision to forgo the salary hike for the Leader of Opposition highlighted the political sensitivity surrounding the issue and influenced public discourse.
