Fri Dec 19 00:05:41 UTC 2025: Summary:

Facing intense public and internal pressure, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs in Odisha have requested Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider a proposed 200% salary hike for state lawmakers. The issue was discussed at a meeting, where MLAs expressed concerns about the public backlash and potential damage to the government’s image. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s decision to forgo the salary increase further amplified the criticism. While the bill passed almost unanimously in the winter session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, it is awaiting the Governor’s assent and has been met with opposition from civil society organizations and Left parties. The proposed hike would make Odisha MLAs the highest paid in the country and increase the CM’s salary to ₹3,74,000 per month and MLA’s salary to ₹3,45,000 per month.

News Article:

Odisha MLAs Urge Reconsideration of Controversial Salary Hike Amid Public Outcry

BHUBANESWAR – December 19, 2025 – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs in Odisha are urging Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider a proposed 200% salary hike for state lawmakers, bowing to intense public resentment and internal pressure. The move comes after a meeting held on Thursday at the BJP office, where Chief Minister Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, ministers, MLAs, and senior party officials discussed the widespread criticism surrounding the proposal.

“We had a discussion on the passage of a bill concerning the revision of salary of MLAs and pension of former MLAs,” said State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling. “Respecting people’s opinion, all BJP MLAs, through a signed memorandum, have urged the CM to reconsider and schedule a debate on the issue again.”

The proposed salary increase, which would make Odisha MLAs the highest paid in the country, has been deemed a misstep by many, potentially damaging the image of the relatively new Mohan Majhi government. The revised framework would see the Chief Minister drawing ₹3,74,000 per month, while MLAs would receive a consolidated package of ₹3,45,000 per month, a significant jump from the ₹1.10 lakh per month they received in 2017.

Adding to the government’s woes, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s announcement that he would forgo the salary increase has placed further scrutiny on the BJP administration. While some critics accuse Patnaik of political grandstanding, his move has amplified the pressure on the government to address public concerns.

The bill, which passed almost unanimously in the winter session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly with only the CPI(M) MLA Laxman Munda opposed, awaits the assent of Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati. Civil society organizations and Left parties have voiced strong opposition to the sharp increase, arguing it is insensitive to the economic realities faced by many in the state. The future of the proposal remains uncertain as the Chief Minister weighs the concerns of his party members and the public at large.

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