Former CM Naveen Patnaik announces to forgo his hiked salary

Naveen Patnaik, the Leader of the Opposition in Odisha, has decided to forgo his salary and allowances, citing the recent bill that significantly increased the salaries of MLAs and ministers. The bill, passed by the Odisha Legislative Assembly, tripled the monthly salaries of the Chief Minister, Ministers, and MLAs, as well as hiked pensions for former legislators threefold. Suresh Chandra Panigrahy, CPI (M) Secretary, and civil society members have criticized the increase, calling it unjust and anti-people.