Cabinet defers decision on President's salary

NEW DELHI: A decision to double the salary of President and Vice President was deferred by the Union Cabinet on Thursday, which decided to take up the matter before the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters that a decision on the issue was deferred so as to incorporate the salary of governors in the Bill meant for President and Vice President.

He said a conference of governors had suggested consideration of increase in the governor's salary also.

"Hopefully the matter will be brought before the cabinet on the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament," he said.

The cabinet meeting was to have taken a decision on the proposal to double the salary of the first citizen to Rs one lakh per month and enhance post-retirement benefits, official sources said.

It was also to consider increas in emoluments of other constitutional functionaries like vice-president.

The salary of president, which was fixed at Rs 10,000 in the Constitution, was gradually raised to Rs 50,000 a month in 1998 with effect from January 1, 1996.

Similarly, the salary of vice-president, who is also the ex-officio chairman of Rajya Sabha, was proposed to be increased to Rs 85,000 per month from Rs 40,000 currently.