Odisha MLAs demand salary hike, more funds

Odisha legislators cutting across party lines on Wednesday demanded salary hike and increase in the amount for MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund.

The legislators from the ruling Biju Janata Dal and opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party pressed their demand before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his office.

"The MLAs have urged the Chief Minister to increase the salary of lawmakers to meet their daily expenses," said Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

The MLAs argued that their demand was justified after the implementation of the recommendation of the 7th pay commission for government employees in the state.

BJP MLA Rabi Narayan Naik said they also demanded an increase the MLA LAD fund for carrying out development works in their constituencies.

BJD MLA Samir Ranjan Dash said: "We requested the Chief Minister to increase the MLA LAD fund from Rs 1 crore to a minimum of Rs 3 crore in order to address more problems."

"Since funds available to MLAs are inadequate, they are unable to meet demands of the local people," said Dash.

During the budget session, the MLAs disrupted the House demanding hike in their salary and allowances.

--IANS

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