Yet to start Natgrid CEO is highest paid officerNATGRID, the government's ambitious project to make a single hub for all data gathered by more than a dozen security agencies, chief Raghu Raman could be the highest paid technocrat associated with the government as he draws a monthly package of a staggering 10 lakh, besides a host of entitlements.
The home ministry told Parliament on Wednesday that Raman, who was appointed the CEO of Natgrid on December 1, 2009, gets a monthly consolidated remuneration of 10 lakh.
This level of salary is unheard of in the government. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh draws just 1.6 lakh per month while top bureaucrats like cabinet secretary Ajit Seth gets 90,000 and principal secretary to the PM Pulok Chatterji is paid 1.08 lakh besides his pension amount of ` 40,000.
In the times of austerity and economic slowdown, Raman is certainly someone who's not missing the corporate sector where he was last employed as the CEO of Mahindra Land Systems before being picked as the Natgrid chief.
The home ministry told Parliament that Raman is also entitled to a car, accommodation and travel according to "the highest entitled class" for officers in the Indian government. He is entitled to a laptop worth ` 1.25 lakh and a BlackBerry phone with services capped at Rs. 8,000 per month.
Sources, however, said Raman has not availed of the benefit of accommodation granted by the government and was instead staying in his own house. They added that the NATGRID chief used the car given to him for transportation between his office and home only.
"He was appointed in the rank of secretary to the government and is essentially only availing of his salary which was decided at the time of his appointment," a source said. But additional clauses in his employment contract show that Raman has got himself a sweetheart deal and is in a position to virtually enjoy benefits from both the government and corporate sector.
The home ministry also told Parliament that Raman is entitled to deliver lectures not pertaining to his official domain and receive remuneration for the same.
BJP MP Balbir Punj had asked whether Raman's appointment had been approved by the cabinet committee on security or appointments. "Raman was appointed on a contract basis with the cabinet committee's approval. Thereafter, his contract was extended by 36 months with effect from June 1, 2011," the home ministry said.
The CEO of a government's ambitious project, which will be the single point source of all data gathered by more than a dozen agencies, draws a salary of Rs 10 lakh per month besides other entitlements of top officers.
Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh told Rajya Sabha that the monthly consolidated remuneration of CEO of NATGRID Raghu Raman is Rs 10 lakh besides a host of other facilities.
Giving details of the Raman's package, Singh said in a written reply that the CEO is given a car as per the highest entitlement for officers in Government of India.
The CEO is given travel, accommodation and TA/DA as per the highest entitled class for officers in the government and medical policy for self and family whose annual premium is capped at Rs 15,000.
"(He is) entitled to deliver lectures not pertaining to his official domain and receive remuneration for the same.
With prior approval of competent authority (Union Home Secretary), he can be a member of Corporate Boards which are not in conflict with his official position," he said.
To deal with functional requirements, CEO NATGRID is also provided with a BlackBerry phone with actual connectivity charges (capped at Rs 8,000 per month). The CEO will be given a laptop with aircard (capped at Rs 1.25 lakh) and Rs 2,000 per month as internet charges.
Raman was appointed as CEO on December 1, 2009, on a contractual basis. The contract was extended on June 1, 2011 for three years. He is a retired military officer who was working as CEO of Mahindra Defence Land System and his appointment and salary were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.
(PTI)
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Hope same is paid for guys who have handle Nuke sub, Missiles and BMD and half of it to other projects.