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 said.

After a meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Dasmunsi said.

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 late Presidents and Vice-Presidents.