Bhubaneswar, Dec. 14 -- The recent hike in the salaries of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Odisha has drawn sharp criticism from several quarters, with many terming the decision unjustified and insensitive amid unemployment, delayed recruitments and ongoing protests by frontline workers.

The Odisha government recently increased the monthly salary of the legislators to Rs 3.45 lakh. Under the revised structure, an MLA will draw Rs 90,000 as basic salary, along with Rs 75,000 as constituency and secretarial allowance, Rs 50,000 towards conveyance, Rs 50,000 as fixed travelling allowance, Rs 35,000 as medical allowance, Rs 20,000 for electricity charges, Rs 15,000 for telephone expenses and Rs 10,000 for books and journals.

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