Odisha Legislators Demand Salary Hike and Increase in Pension for Ex-MLAs 

Bhubaneswar: The legislators from various political parties on Friday demanded hike in the salaries of the MLAs and pensions for the formers MLAs.

The legislators urged the Speaker to issue a ruling directing the government to revise the salaries of the MLAs and pensions for ex-lawmakers.

Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik raised the issue during the Zero Hour in the Assembly.

She highlighted the financial difficulties faced by the former MLAs due to insufficient pensions that fail to keep pace with inflation.

She said that the last salary revision for MLAs was done in 2017 and urged for an immediate review.

Pramila Mallik’s demand was supported by the MLAs from both the Opposition and treasury benches.

Recently, the salary of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs has been hiked to Rs 1.24 lakh per month from Rs 1 lakh and their daily allowance was raised to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 earlier.

The pension of former MPs has been increased to Rs 31,000 per month from Rs 25,000 at present.