**Jagdeep Dhankhar Applies for Legislative Assembly Pension After Vice Presidency**
Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has submitted a request for a pension as a former member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, according to officials. The Rajasthan Assembly secretariat confirmed that his application has been approved, and the pension will commence shortly.
Dhankhar served as a Congress MLA for the Kishangarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan from 1993 to 1998. He received a legislator’s pension until July 2019, when his benefits were halted following his appointment as the Governor of West Bengal. After resigning from the vice presidency on July 21, Dhankhar has now sought the restoration of his pension from the Rajasthan Assembly secretariat. Officials indicated that the process to reinstate his pension is underway, with benefits set to be effective from the date his resignation was accepted.
In Rajasthan, former legislators receive a basic pension of ₹35,000 per month for a single term, with an additional 20% increase for those over 70 years old. At 74, Dhankhar qualifies for a monthly pension of ₹42,000 under this provision. He is also eligible for multiple pensions; as a one-term Lok Sabha MP, he is entitled to ₹45,000 per month. Additionally, as a former vice president, he can receive nearly ₹2 lakh monthly, along with official housing, staff, and medical facilities. However, he is not entitled to a pension for his tenure as governor, although he can claim reimbursement of ₹25,000 for secretarial assistance.
Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation as vice president has sparked political speculation. He stepped down on the first day of the Monsoon session, citing health issues, a move that the Congress party described as “totally unexpected.” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh suggested that there were “far deeper reasons” behind his resignation. He highlighted an unusual sequence of events on July 21, when Dhankhar chaired a Business Advisory Committee meeting attended by BJP president JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. A subsequent meeting scheduled for later that day was not attended by either leader. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed skepticism about the health reasons for his resignation, stating, “He is a healthy man. I think his health is absolutely fine.” Speculation has also arisen regarding his departure being linked to disagreements over an Opposition-backed initiative to remove Justice Yashwant Verma following a cash recovery from the judge’s residence earlier this year.
In conclusion, Jagdeep Dhankhar’s application for a pension marks a significant transition following his vice presidency, and the political implications of his resignation continue to unfold.
**FAQ**
**What is the pension amount Jagdeep Dhankhar is eligible for?**
Jagdeep Dhankhar is eligible for a monthly pension of ₹42,000 as a former MLA, along with additional pensions from his previous roles, totaling nearly ₹2 lakh monthly as a former vice president.
