The ground is set for the high-stake election to the second highest constitutional office of India, the vice president of India. However, very few people know that the designation of vice president of the country comes with zero salary. This is perhaps the only office which enjoys perks, but salary.
The election to the office of Vice President of India will be held on September 9. The contest is between NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan and INDIA bloc’s Retd Supreme Court justice B Sudershan Reddy. The election was necessitated after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned citing health reasons on July 21.
The Vice President of India enjoys a number of perks, being the second highest office of the country. However, there is no provision of a salary for the VP, unless the person takes charge (tentatively or permanently) as the President of India.
No salary yet Rs 4 lakh a month for VP
Though the vice president of India does not draw any salary, the person is entitled for Rs 4 lakh monthly remuneration as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The vice president of the country also serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Upper House.
The salary and allowances of the vice president are determined under the Salaries and Allowances of Officers of Parliament Act, 1953.
“There is no provision for a specific salary for the vice president; instead, they receive remuneration and benefits commensurate with their role as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha,” officials said, reported NDTV.
What are the perks of the Vice President?
Though there is no salary for the vice president of India, the chair does have several perks. This includes free accommodation, medical care, train and air travel, a landline connection, mobile phone service, personal security and staff.
Not only this. Even after retirement, the vice-president is entitled to a pension of nearly Rs 2 lakh per month, a Type-8 bungalow, one personal secretary, one additional personal secretary, one personal assistant, one physician, one nursing officer, and four personal attendants.