Naveen Patnaik Offers To Forgo Salary Hike Amid Public Outrage Over Odisha MLAs’ Pay Raise
In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik urged the BJP-led government to utilise the additional amount for the welfare of poor and marginalised people
Bhubaneswar: As public anger mounts over a steep hike in legislators’ salaries, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday offered to forgo the enhanced salary and allowances approved for the Leader of Opposition.
In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik urged the BJP-led government to utilise the additional amount for the welfare of poor and marginalised people.
“I have been blessed by the love, affection and support of the people of Odisha for more than 25 years. I remain deeply indebted to them and to the legacy of my late father, Biju Patnaik,” Naveen wrote. Recalling his family’s decision to donate its ancestral property, Anand Bhawan in Cuttack, for public use in 2015, he said the move to forgo the salary hike was in the same spirit of public service.
There was no immediate response from the Chief Minister’s Office.
The development comes against the backdrop of sharp criticism from citizens and civil society over the unanimous passage of four Bills by the Odisha Legislative Assembly on December 9, which paved the way for a substantial increase in the pay and perks of MLAs, ministers, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Government Chief Whip.
Under the revised structure, the basic monthly salary of MLAs has been raised from Rs 35,000 to Rs 90,000, electricity allowance from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 and medical allowance from Rs 5,000 to Rs 35,000. The total monthly remuneration now stands at Rs 3.45 lakh, up from Rs 1.11 lakh earlier.
The unusual consensus between the ruling BJP and opposition BJD and Congress on the salary hike has drawn flak from the public, with many questioning the timing and justification of the decision at a time of economic stress and persistent social challenges.
Adding to the dissenting voices, CPM MLA Laxman Munda had earlier expressed his unhappiness over what he termed an “unreasonable” pay hike. He said he had formally recorded his dissent during discussions in the designated Assembly committee.
Social media platforms have since been flooded with critical reactions, with users accusing lawmakers of being disconnected from public realities and prioritising personal benefits over pressing governance issues.