Naveen Patnaik, who was the Chief Minister of Odisha for 24 consecutive years and currently the Leader of Opposition, is known for his decisions and clean politics. Naveen Patnaik has refused to accept the recently increased salary of MLAs in the Assembly. He has written a letter to Assembly Speaker and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Patnaik has requested in the letter that he will not use his increased salary himself. He has asked to use the increased salary for the welfare of the public.

What was written in the letter?

BJD i.e. Biju Janata Dal Chief Naveen Patnaik has made it clear in his letter that he does not want to take advantage of the salary increase. He wrote that whatever increase he has received in his salary and allowances as an MLA, it should be spent on the welfare of the people of the state.

Odisha Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, in a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, said, ‘I want to give up the increased salary and allowances for the Leader of the Opposition, which was recently passed by the Odisha Assembly. I request you to use it for the welfare of the poor people of our state.

Former Odisha CM and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik writes to Odisha CM on his salary hike to be used for the welfare of the people of the state.

Notably, members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly will get a three-fold hike in their monthly salary and allowances, as… pic.twitter.com/yu2bRVwlOP

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025

Decision taken as soon as the bill was passed

BJD Chief Patnaik took the decision immediately after the bill was passed. There are mixed reactions to his decision. Naveen Patnaik said, for the last 25 years I have received immense love from the people of Odisha. I am indebted to the people of Odisha. He had great love and trust for me and his late father Biju Patnaik. As our family had decided in 2015, we had dedicated our ancestral house in Cuttack to the people of Odisha.

The salary of MLAs in the state has been increased three times.
In fact, on December 9, a bill related to increase in salary and allowances of Odisha Assembly was passed. According to this new bill, the salary of MLAs was increased three times. Earlier the salary and allowances together was Rs 1 lakh, but now it has increased to Rs 3.45 lakh per month.

Odisha girl set on fire: A heartbreaking incident has come to light in Baiber village of Balga area of Puri district. On Saturday, three miscreants put a 15 -year -old girl on fire by putting petrol on the road. When this incident happened, she was going to a friend’s house. Locals immediately extinguished the fire and the girl was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in critical condition. At present, his condition remains critical.

Complete information about the incident
The incident took place in Baiber village of Balanga police station area under Nimapada block of Puri district. The girl was going to meet her friend from home, when three unidentified youths stopped her on the way. He put petrol and set it on fire and escaped from the spot. Local villagers immediately helped, extinguished the fire and rushed the victim to the hospital. He was first referred to the local hospital and then AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Administration and police action
Puri District Collector Chanchal Rana told ANI, ‘We have received information about this unfortunate incident. The victim has suffered serious burn injuries. Preparations have been made for trauma and emergency in AIIMS. He informed that the district administration will bear the entire cost of treatment and all possible help will be given to the victim. Also, the police have been instructed to take strict action against the accused. Senior officials have been sent to the spot.

Deputy Chief Minister’s response
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida wrote on X, ‘I am very sad and shocked that a 15 -year -old girl was burnt with petrol in Balga in Puri district. The victim has been immediately rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. All treatment arrangements have been made. The government will bear the cost of treatment and the accused will be arrested soon.

Former Chief Minister targeted the government
Former CM Naveen Patnaik also questioned the government and said, ‘A girl was set on fire in broad daylight in Puri district. This is not just an incident. Recently, a student of FM College committed self -immolation for not getting justice, and a similar horrific incident took place in Gopalpur in Ganjam. He said that women are not safe in Odisha and it reflects the major failure of the government.

He questioned whether the government will wake up now and will strictly stop such incidents? The police has reached the village and investigation has been started. Efforts are on to identify and arrest the accused with the victim’s statement and the help of the local people.