Bhubaneswar
In an official communication, Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout informed members that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling has given notice of his intention to seek permission to withdraw the amendments.
The move comes after the proposals triggered strong reactions from citizens and opposition leaders alike.
The bills slated for withdrawal include amendments related to salaries and allowances of Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and state ministers. These legislations, passed in December 2025, had proposed a nearly threefold increase in remuneration, with retrospective effect from June 5, 2024.
According to reports, the salary of the Chief Minister was set to rise from approximately Rs 98,000 to around Rs 3.74 lakh per month, while MLAs’ pay was projected to increase from about Rs 1 lakh to nearly Rs 3.45 lakh. The substantial hike would have placed Odisha’s legislators among the highest-paid in the country, intensifying public scrutiny.
The proposals sparked widespread debate across the state, with many questioning the necessity of such a steep increase, especially in the context of broader economic concerns. Critics argued that the timing of the decision was inappropriate and disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
Amid the controversy, Naveen Patnaik, president of the Biju Janata Dal, took a notable stand by announcing that he would forgo the enhanced salary and allowances designated for the Leader of Opposition. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik’s decision was widely seen as a symbolic gesture amid growing public dissatisfaction.
The withdrawal of the bills is expected to ease political tensions and address public concerns, though the issue has already left a significant mark on Odisha’s political discourse.