Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik Refuses Salary Hike, Appeals for Funds to Aid Odisha’s Poor
Naveen Patnaik Declines Salary Hike, Urges Odisha Government to Use Funds for Poor Welfare: Leader of the Opposition and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced that he will not accept the recently approved increase in salary and allowances for opposition party leaders in the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Instead, he has requested that the additional funds be utilized for the welfare of the poor and underprivileged people of the state.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Naveen Patnaik expressed gratitude for the love and support he has received from the people of Odisha over the past 25 years. He stated that he remains eternally indebted to the citizens of the state for their affection toward him and his late father, legendary leader Biju Patnaik.
Recalling his family’s long-standing commitment to public service, Naveen Patnaik mentioned that in 2015, the Patnaik family donated their ancestral property, ‘Ananda Bhawan’ in Cuttack, for public use and service to the people of Odisha. He said this spirit of service continues to guide his decisions in public life.
“With the same sense of responsibility and humility, I do not wish to accept the recently approved increase in salary and allowances,” Naveen Patnaik wrote in his letter. He urged the Chief Minister to redirect the amount toward initiatives that support the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sections of society.
The announcement has drawn attention across political circles, with many viewing it as a symbolic gesture reinforcing Naveen Patnaik’s image of simplicity and commitment to public welfare. The state government has not yet issued an official response to his request.
Naveen Patnaik’s decision comes at a time when discussions around public spending and social welfare remain central to Odisha’s political and economic discourse.
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