NEW DELHI, Aug 30: The former vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar has sought resumption of his pension from the Rajasthan Assembly as an erstwhile legislator, when he represented Kishangarh constituency in Ajmer district between 1993 and 1998.
Mr Dhankhar’s pension was discontinued in 2019 after he was appointed the Governor of West Bengal. Mr Dhankhar, 74, was elected as a Congress MLA in 1993, after serving as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandra Shekhar government following his election as a Janata Dal MP from Jhunjhunu in 1989. He joined the BJP in 2003.
About a month after stepping down as the Vice-President, Mr Dhankhar has moved an application in the State Assembly Secretariat seeking pension as a former MLA. The sources in the Assembly Secretariat said here on Saturday that the process for examining and approving the application had been initiated as per the rules.
The pension payable to Mr Dhankhar will be applicable from the date on which his resignation as the Vice-President was accepted, according to the sources. He had tendered his resignation citing “health issues” on July 21.
The MLAs in Rajasthan who have served a full term are entitled to get the pension of ₹35,000 per month, which goes up with additional terms and age. Those above 70 years of age receive a 20% hike. Mr Dhankhar’s five-year tenure makes him eligible for a monthly pension of ₹42,000 in addition to facilities such as medical care and travel allowance.
The pension from the State Assembly payable to Mr Dhankhar will be in addition to the pension he will draw as the former Vice-President and an ex-MP. Mr Dhankhar has largely remained out of public view since his resignation, fuelling speculations about his future political moves. The Opposition parties have repeatedly questioned his absence, while former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot demanded clarity, arguing that the people in Rajasthan were keen to know about his condition and circumstances.
(Manas Dasgupta)
