Bhubaneswar: Cutting across party lines,
Orissa law makers on Monday demanded an immediate hike in their
salaries and perks in view of the price rise of essential
commodities and fuel.
The issue was raised in the Assembly during Zero Hour
when MLAs belonging to both the treasury bench and opposition
unitedly justified the demand for hiking their salaries.
While an MLA in Orissa received a total of Rs 21,000
per month including Rs 5,000 as salary, those in other states
including neighbouring West Bengal received more, Independent
member Pratap Sarangi said.
"Our salaries are less than that of a class-IV state
government employee," Sarangi, who was supported by many
including Congress member S S Saluja, said.
Ruling BJD member Pradeep Maharathy said that MLAs
felt ashamed to go to their constituencies on motorcycles when
officers used cars.
While opposition members rushed to well of the House
demanding hike in their salaries, treasury bench members
stood on their seats to express solidarity.
"The government will examine the demand of MLAs if the
proposal comes through the Amenities Committee of the
Assembly," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty
said.
PTI
