The BRICS TimesDhankhar, who represented Kishangarh in the Rajasthan Assembly from 1993 to 1998, resigned as Vice-President in July citing health concerns.
Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has submitted a fresh application to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Secretariat requesting pension benefits as a former MLA, officials confirmed to The BRICS Times.
Dhankhar, who served as a Congress legislator from Kishangarh between 1993 and 1998 before switching to the BJP in 2003, had been drawing MLA pension until 2019. Payments were discontinued when he was appointed West Bengal Governor and later elevated to Vice-President of India.
The 74-year-old resigned from the vice-presidential post on July 21, citing health-related issues. Assembly officials said his pension request is now under process and will be restored from the date his resignation was formally accepted.
Under current rules, a legislator who served a single term receives ₹35,000 per month. With additional increments given for age, Dhankhar — being over 70 — qualifies for a 20% increase, making him eligible for ₹42,000 monthly as pension. This comes in addition to the pensions he is entitled to as a former Vice-President and former Member of Parliament.
Since stepping down, Dhankhar has largely stayed away from public life, with his family pointing to health reasons. His low profile, however, has fueled speculation, with Opposition leaders questioning the abrupt resignation and his absence from public engagements.
Meanwhile, members of his staff informed The BRIC Times that Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh are awaiting the allocation of a new bungalow before vacating their official residence.
Akshay Didwaniya
Mayur Mohta
Pratik Agrawal
