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Odisha Salary Hike Backlash: BJD Joins BJP MLAs in Demanding Rollback

The main opposition BJD has joined BJP legislators in calling for a rollback of the recent salary and pension increases for Odisha's MLAs and ministers. BJD chief whip Pramila Mallik made the appeal, stressing the need to respect overwhelming public opinion on the matter. This comes after BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik stated he would not accept his own raised allowance. The ruling BJP had already begun reconsidering the hike following significant public criticism and reported pressure from its central leadership.

Key Points: BJD Joins BJP MLAs Seeking Rollback of Odisha Salary Pension Hike

  • BJD extends support but urges CM Majhi to reconsider the controversial salary hike legislation
  • Naveen Patnaik announces he will forgo his increased salary as Leader of the Opposition
  • The hike made Odisha MLAs among the highest-paid legislators in the country
  • Public backlash and central leadership pressure prompted BJP's reconsideration
2 min read

Odisha: BJD joins BJP MLAs in seeking rollback of salary, pension hike

BJD urges CM Mohan Majhi to reconsider MLA salary hike, joining BJP legislators amid public backlash. Naveen Patnaik to forgo his increased allowance.

"We urge the Chief Minister to reconsider the legislation and respect public opinion. - Pramila Mallik, BJD Chief Whip"

Bhubaneswar, Dec 19

The main opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider the recent hike in salaries and allowances of MLAs, ministers, the Chief Minister, and the Speaker, a day after BJP legislators made a similar appeal.

Speaking at a press conference held at the party headquarters here on Friday, BJD’s chief whip in the Odisha Assembly, Pramila Mallik, said, “Although we extended support to the legislation regarding the enhancement of salaries and pensions of MLAs and former MLAs passed in the Assembly on December 9, following the directions of our dear leader and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, we, on behalf of the BJD, urge the Chief Minister to reconsider the legislation and respect public opinion.”

She also claimed that the BJD president, who always gives due respect to public opinion, has never drawn his salary since he entered politics. The BJD leader expressed hope that the state government would take appropriate steps in this regard, keeping in view public opinion.

BJD supremo Patnaik had earlier announced that he would forgo the recently increased salary and allowances attached to the LoP's post, asking that the amount instead be used for the welfare of the poor.

It is worth noting that the Odisha Assembly recently passed four Bills without any dissenting voice, significantly enhancing the salaries and allowances of MLAs, as well as those of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Minister. With the revision of salaries and pensions, Odisha's MLAs also joined the ranks of the highest-paid legislators in the country. This move sparked a major debate in the state, drawing criticism from people from all walks of life.

Following massive public backlash across the state and the reported ire of the central leadership, the ruling BJP was prompted to reconsider the decision.

On Thursday, following a closed-door meeting of BJP MLAs and ministers in the presence of CM Majhi and BJP state president Manmohan Samal at the party's state office here, all the party legislators passed a resolution urging CM Majhi to reconsider the legislation cleared during the last Assembly session to hike the pensions and salaries of sitting and former legislators.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
This is pure political drama. They pass the bill unanimously, then do a U-turn when public outcry happens. Why wasn't this "public opinion" considered before the vote? Seems like everyone was happy to get a pay raise until they got caught.
S
Suresh O
As an Odia, I'm glad they are listening. Our state has many development needs - better roads, healthcare, schools. That money could do so much more good there than in politicians' pockets. Hope the rollback happens quickly.
A
Anjali F
While I appreciate the reconsideration, let's be honest - this should never have been proposed in the first place. Our leaders need to have their priorities straight. Service before self, always. 👏
M
Michael C
Interesting to see cross-party consensus on this issue. In many democracies, politicians rarely vote against their own pay raises. The public pressure here seems to have been very effective. A good lesson in accountability.
K
Kavya N
Respect to Naveen Patnaik for his consistent stance. Not taking a salary for decades shows real commitment. Now if only other politicians would follow that example instead of just talking about it when there's backlash.

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