President’s pay hike...It was one lakh-y day

NEW DELHI: The sum of Rs 1 lakh was the talking point in the country on Thursday for different reasons: Tata launched his Rs 1-lakh car, the President of India’s salary was hiked to Rs 1 lakh a month and Delhiites got a chance to taste a precious drink worth Rs 1 lakh.

The decision to double the salaries of President, Vice- President and Governors was taken by the Union Cabinet on Thursday. The President will now get Rs 1 lakh a month, up from the Rs 50,000 the holder of this office was getting since the last pay revision about a decade back. The perks, which range from accommodation at Rashtrapati Bhavan and medical expenses, are extra, of course.

Briefing reporters on the decision, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said that a pay hike for top constitutional offices had been agreed upon in principle several months back. It had, however, been put on hold because of elections for the post of President and Vice- President were due then.

The Vice-President’s salary has now been hiked from Rs 40,000 to Rs 85,000 a month. Governors in the states will get Rs 75,000, compared to the Rs 36,000 they got so far. Former Presidents too will get more facilities, including salaries for their staff.

Similarly, the government has decided to increase the facilities given to the spouses of Presidents and Vice-Presidents after the office-holder’s death. Dasmunsi said one reason why the salaries for the President and Vice-President had to be increased was amendments in the salary structure for members of Parliament.

In 2001 the salary of the US President was doubled to $400,000 per annum - the first salary hike in 30 years. Gordon Brown, one of Europe’s best-paid Prime Ministers, earns about $375,000 per annum.

News Source : Samachar