Let X be the value of 1 unit in terms of the currency being used.
Then, the initial expenditure on salary is 12 units * X = 12X.
We are given that 2 units = 12000, so we can set up the following equation:
2X = 12000.
Solving this equation gives us X = 6000.
Substituting this value back into the equation for the initial expenditure on salary, we find that the initial expenditure on salary is 12 units * 6000 = 72000.
Therefore, the initial expenditure on salary is 72000.