THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 26, 2026

In a significant political development reflecting the pulse of public sentiment, the Odisha Legislative Assembly Secretariat has officially informed members about the withdrawal of the contentious amendment bills that had proposed a steep threefold increase in salaries and allowances for legislators and ministers.

The move follows formal communication from Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout, stating that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling has expressed his intention to seek leave to withdraw the amendments, which had triggered widespread debate across the state. The proposals, passed in December 2025, had drawn considerable attention due to the magnitude of the increase and the timing of the decision.

The legislation slated for withdrawal includes amendments related to the salaries, allowances, and pensions of MLAs, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and members of the Council of Ministers. The revised provisions had proposed a substantial jump in remuneration, with the Chief Minister’s monthly pay projected to rise from ₹98,000 to nearly ₹3.74 lakh, while legislators’ salaries were expected to increase from around ₹1 lakh to approximately ₹3.45 lakh.

The proposed hike had positioned Odisha’s lawmakers among the highest-paid legislators in the country, sparking public discourse on fiscal priorities and governance accountability. The issue resonated strongly among citizens and civil society groups, who questioned the necessity of the increase at a time when economic prudence remains a key concern.

The political debate gained further momentum when Naveen Patnaik, president of Biju Janata Dal and former Chief Minister, wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announcing his decision to forego the enhanced salary and allowances meant for the Leader of Opposition. His gesture was widely interpreted as a signal of restraint and responsibility, intensifying public discussion around the issue.

Subsequently, voices from both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition BJD urged the Chief Minister to revisit the decision, indicating rare convergence across political lines on the need for reconsideration. The appeals underscored broader concerns about balancing governance priorities with public expectations, ultimately shaping the government’s decision to step back from the proposed revisions.

The withdrawal of the bills is being seen as a politically calibrated response to public opinion, reinforcing the role of democratic feedback in influencing policy direction and legislative decisions in the state.