Jagdeep Dhankhar re-applies for Rajasthan MLA pension after resigning as Vice-President

Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has applied to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Secretariat to resume his pension as a former legislator, officials said. Dhankhar, 74, represented the Kishangarh Assembly constituency as a Congress MLA from 1993 to 1998 and later joined the BJP in 2003.

He had been receiving an MLA pension until July 2019, which was discontinued when he was appointed Governor of West Bengal and later became Vice-President of India. Following his resignation from the Vice-Presidency on July 21, citing health reasons, Dhankhar requested the resumption of his pension from the date his resignation was accepted.

Officials explained that a one-term MLA in Rajasthan is entitled to Rs 35,000 per month as pension. This amount increases with additional terms and age. Law provides a 20 percent hike for legislators above 70 years, making Dhankhar eligible for Rs 42,000 per month as a former legislator.

In addition to the MLA pension, Dhankhar is entitled to pensions as a former Vice-President and as a former Member of Parliament. He has largely stayed away from public life since his resignation, citing health concerns, while staff indicated that he and his wife Sudesh are waiting for a new bungalow to be allotted following vacating the official residence.

Dhankhar’s tenure as a legislator, Governor, and Vice-President spans over three decades. The Rajasthan Assembly Secretariat has begun processing his pension application, and it will be effective from the date his Vice-Presidential resignation was officially accepted.