Bhubaneswar: A joint parliamentary committee, which on Sunday reviewed the salary, allowances, pension and other facilities extended to sitting and former MLAs of Odisha, felt that there is a need to revise the pay, according to a written statement issued by the state govt.“The committee closely reviewed what sitting and former MLAs currently receive — and how that package compares with Parliament and other states. The committee felt that there is a need to revise the salaries of incumbent and ex‑MLAs in Odisha,” read the written statement by the state govt.The joint committee on salaries and allowances of MPs for 2026‑27, led by chairman Birendra Prasad Baishya, held separate discussions with assembly speaker Surama Padhy, secretary Satyabrata Rout, parliamentary affairs minister Mukesh Mahaling and senior officials, as part of its two-day study visit to the state.“Although the panel’s mandate primarily concerns the salary and allowances of the MPs, they routinely examine the facilities provided to MLAs and ex-MLAs in different states. After completing their study in Odisha, the committee will review the facilities for MLAs and ex‑MLAs in Maharashtra on Tuesday,” a senior govt official said.The committee, which arrived in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, also interacted with railway officials on issues related to debit claims and amenities available to the MPs and ex‑MPs, sources said.Notably, the state govt in March withdrew four Bills passed in the assembly in December last year, proposing a three‑fold hike in the MLAs’ salaries, a move that had triggered sharp criticism across political and public circles.
