From Rs 1 lakh to over Rs 3 lakh: Odisha MLAs pass Bill for 3-fold hike to their salary, allowance

The minister said the salary and allowances of the members have remained static for the past seven years and was last hiked in September 2018.

Members across party lines voted to pass the Bill.

As per the provisions of the Bill, the monthly basic salary of a legislator has been increased to Rs 90,000 from Rs 35,000. The members of the state Assembly will now receive a sumptuary allowance of Rs 98,000 per month, as opposed to the existing Rs 40,000. There has also been a significant increase in other allowances, like constituency and Lok Seva Bhawan visit, monthly transport allowance, and medical treatment allowance. Former MLAs will get pensions and other allowances worth around Rs 1.17 lakh per month.

The Chief Minister of Odisha will get Rs 3.74 lakh, as per the Bill, including basic salary of Rs 1 lakh, sumptuary allowance of Rs 1.83 lakh and car allowances of Rs 91,000. Similarly, the salary and allowances of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers, Leader of Opposition and Chief Whips will be between Rs 3.50 lakh and Rs 3.68 lakh per month.

With the hike, the salary and allowances of MLAs in Odisha will be among the highest in the country.