Bhubaneswar, 26 March (H.S.): The Odisha government has initiated the process to withdraw the controversial Bill that proposed an increase in the salary, allowances, and pension of Members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

According to official sources, the Assembly Secretariat has informed MLAs about the move following a notice issued by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling regarding the withdrawal of the proposed salary hike legislation.

The Bill, which was passed last year, sought to significantly increase the remuneration and pension benefits of MLAs, as well as revise the salaries of ministers and the Chief Minister. However, the proposal triggered widespread criticism from various quarters.

Critics argued that the proposed increase was excessive when compared with the salary structure of legislators in several other states. The move also drew public backlash, with concerns raised over the timing and scale of the proposed hike.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda