PTI
New Delhi, Jan 10: The President has got a big raise with the monthly pay packet doubled from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh, under a proposal cleared by the Union Cabinet on Thursday. And Pratibha Patil is not alone to get such a hike.
The Vice-President would get Rs 85,000 per month against the present Rs 40,000, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters.
After a meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Dasmunsi told reporters.
Likewise, Dasmunsi said, the salary of Governors has been raised from Rs 36,000 a month to Rs 75,000.
The increase in emoluments would come into effect from January 1 last year.
The hike was necessitated as Members of Parliament have a Rs 68,000 pay packet while the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha drew less than them, Dasmunsi said.
Former Presidents' emoluments have also been doubled to Rs six lakh a year, while more facilities have been sanctioned for the spouses of the late Presidents and Vice-Presidents.
Dasmunsi said the decision to increase the salary had been taken last year itself, but since the then President and Vice-President were retiring, it was deferred.