Salary hike for President mooted, as he earns less than top Babu

With the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations creating an anomalous situation in which the salary of the President is ₹1 lakh less than that of the country's topmost bureaucrat, the Home Ministry has got down to drafting a proposal for raising the emoluments of the President, Vice President and State Governors.

The proposal will be forwarded to the Union Cabinet for its approval soon.

At present, the President gets ₹1.50 lakh per month, the Vice-President ₹1.25 lakh and Governor of a state ₹ 1.10 lakh.

After the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission's awards, the Cabinet Secretary gets ₹2.5 lakh per month and a Secretary in the Union government draws ₹2.25 lakh per month.

Official sources said the Home Ministry's proposal is expected to be submitted for the Union Cabinet's approval next week.

After the Cabinet gives its nod, Bills to this effect will be tabled in Parliament for passage.

Salaries of the President, Vice-President and Governors were last hiked in 2008 when the Parliament had approved a three-fold increase.

Till 2008, the President's salary was ₹50,000, the Vice-President's ₹40,000 and a Governor's ₹36,000.

In addition, proposals are also expected to be moved for raising the pensions of former Presidents, spouses of deceased Presidents, former Vice-Presidents, spouses of deceased Vice-President and former Governors.