Oriya bounty

Orissa MLAs hit jackpot

Orissa may be among the poorest Indian states, but not its legislators. The new pay packet for the members of Orissa Legislative Assembly has left behind their counterparts in many other states, according to government officials. The Orissa Legislative Assembly Member’s Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2007, passed unanimously last week has given the seal of approval to this new pay structure. A statement compiled by the Government of Orissa has said that MLAs here receive more salary and allowances than their counter parts in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and elsewhere. With this hike, a Orissa MLA shall take home Rs 21,725 per month which was earlier Rs 19,700. In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, a MLA receives Rs 21,500 and in Bihar, a legislative assembly member’s monthly pay package is around Rs 20,000.UPDATEOrissa MLAs to get Rs 21,725 plus as monthly salaryThey make more money than their counterparts elsewhereSome Orissa MLAs are not impressed with the hikeThis does not necessarily mean the legislators are happy. ‘‘We are not satisfied’’, reacts Hema Gomango, Congress MLA. ‘‘When we visit the constituency, the expenditure is much more than what government pays. This has not been taken into account in this new structure. In Andhra and some other states, MLAs are entitled to travel coupons worth Rs 1,00,000 which is also not given here’', she argues. According to her, it is negative to keep carping too much about what MLAs earn. Contrast it with a legislator’s pay packet in neighbouring Chattisgarh: Rs 7,500. Likewise Tamil Nadu pays its MLAs Rs. 8,000 per month. Bikram Keshari Verma, a ruling Biju Janata Dal MLA, holds a different view. “Legislators are spontaneous ‘Jana Sevaks’, not government servants. They should not demand hikes in salary, allowance and pensions like union leaders. The new pay structure is fair and rational and takes into account the financial condition of our state'’, he said.Along with this hike, the pension for ex-MLAs has been raised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per month, if the legislator has completed the full term of four-and-a-half years. For each extra year added, the member will be entitled for a rise of Rs.600, which was earlier Rs.300. Little wonder that Oriya legislators are smiling – and wanting more.

Dhrutikam Mohanty