Odisha MLAs get over threefold salary hike, among highest in India
Total package of an MLA increased from Rs 1.11 lakh to Rs 3.45 lakh
Four Bills passed unanimously to enhance pay, perks and pension; package effective from June 2024
By Nalini Sahu
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 11: The Odisha Legislative Assembly on Tuesday approved a sweeping hike in the monthly salary and allowances of its members, raising the total package from Rs 1.11 lakh to Rs 3.45 lakh — more than a threefold increase and among the highest compensation structures for lawmakers in the country.
Parliamentary affairs minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling informed that the revised salary would apply retrospectively from June 2024, when the 17th Assembly was constituted. The House unanimously cleared four amendment bills that collectively enhanced the salaries of MLAs, ministers, the chief minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, and the pensions of former MLAs.
In addition to salary revisions, the bills provide a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to the family of any sitting MLA in the event of death. They also include a provision to raise pay, allowances and pension every five years, and permit future hikes through ordinance without requiring a fresh bill.
Currently, an MLA receives a consolidated package of around Rs 1.11 lakh. Under the new structure, the package rises to Rs 3.45 lakh, including Rs 90,000 as basic salary; Rs 75,000 as constituency/secretarial allowance; Rs 50,000 as conveyance allowance; Rs 20,000 as electricity allowance; Rs 15,000 as telephone allowance; Rs 10,000 for books and periodicals; Rs 35,000 as medical allowance; and a fixed travelling allowance of Rs 50,000.
For former MLAs, the pension increases to Rs 1.17 lakh per month, comprising Rs 80,000 as basic pension, Rs 25,000 as medical allowance, and Rs 12,500 as travelling allowance. An additional Rs 3,000 will be granted for each term served.
The revised monthly entitlements for top office-bearers are: Rs 3.74 lakh for the chief minister; Rs 3.68 lakh for the Speaker and Deputy Chief Minister; Rs 3.62 lakh each for Cabinet ministers and the Leader of the Opposition; Rs 3.56 lakh for the Deputy Speaker and ministers of state; and Rs 3.62 lakh and Rs 3.50 lakh for the Government Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip, respectively.
The House passed the Odisha Legislative Assembly Members’ Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025, along with the Speaker’s, Deputy Speaker’s, and Ministers’ Salary and Allowances Amendment Bills, 2025, with support from all parties. Members said the revision was long overdue, noting that demands have been pending since 2007.
“The hike in pension will particularly help former MLAs who have become old and sick,” said Opposition Chief Whip and former Speaker Pramila Mallik, welcoming the decision.
