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She also gave her assent to another law that will hike the monthly salary of vice-president M H Ansari's salary from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1.25 lakh per month.
The hike comes a year after the Cabinet considered a proposal seeking an increment to the salary of India’s First Citizen and enhancing post-retirement benefits for former Presidents and Vice-Presidents.
Earlier, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had taken a decision to rationalise the salaries.
The hike comes close on the heels of government announcing a bonanza for its employees by implementing the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission report under which a secretary at the Centre will draw Rs 80,000 a month.
Immediately after the hike was announced, President Pratibha Patil contributed a month's salary to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund towards the relief and rehabilitation of those affected by Bihar floods.
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.
Almost everything that the President does or wants to do is taken care of by the annual Rs 22.5-crore budget that the Government allots for his upkeep.
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The credibility of the President's post is very dependent on the person who holds the post. Our Ex President Abdul Kalam clearly brought name, fame and credibility to the post. The only time we hear about this lady is when she inaugarates a function or when she signs on the dotted line to approve her own pay hike. India currently is devoid of leadership as the current government appears to be led by a lady of foreign origin who appoints people who abide by her rules rather than the rules of the country. Unfortunately the Congress of today is very different to the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi.
The president will use the monthly 1.5 lakhs only if the nearly 2 Crores per month for all her expenses are spent! In a country where several millions of peopole do not have even a single meal a day, isn't it toooo much for the top dignitaries of our nation? And the Secretary at the Centre will have so many perks in addition to his pay cheque. Independant India has abolished system of Rajas and Maharajas, but has introduced the Modern Super Maharajas and a host of Maharajas all over the nation. These super humans are held in awe; are given Z security and have a traffic free ride whereever they go - all using the Common Man's money and putting aside the common man as a third rate insect, literally as unwanted dirt!!
While there are millions poor and homeless it is a shame that the president (mainly a ceremonial post) herself should accept 300% hike in her own salary.
poor lady deserves a pay hike for all the hard work, don't grudge.