NEW DELHI: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey voluntarily reduced their perks and privileges on Friday.

The new CEC, along with Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey, convened the inaugural meeting of the Election Commission today, where they discussed the advantages and privileges afforded to the CEC and ECs, including income tax exemptions on sumptuary allowance.

They opted not to take advantage of any current income tax benefits and, accordingly, the proposal was referred to the Central government for consideration. They also elected to use only one Leave Travel Concession (LTC) per year instead of the three they had previously.

According to Section 3 of the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991, the CEC and the ECs are currently entitled to a monthly sumptuary stipend of Rs 34,000, which is non-taxable.

Second, they are allowed three LTCs per year for themselves, their spouses, and dependent family members.

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant seeks time to collect OBC data

PM to share winning mantra with BJP national office-bearers tomorrow

Will RJD send Baba Siddiqui to Rajya Sabha? From Bollywood to politics, there is deep penetration"