Jagdeep Dhankhar, the former Vice President of India, has received approval to start his pension benefits as a retired MLA from Rajasthan. This approval comes from the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly after his application was submitted in late August.
Once his resignation as Vice President was accepted earlier this year, the Assembly officially started his pension payments from that date. Now, Dhankhar will once again enjoy a monthly pension and other facilities reserved for former legislators.
Dhankhar will receive around Rs 42,000 every month. He was initially entitled to a basic pension of Rs 35,000 as a one-time MLA, but since he has crossed 75 years of age, an extra 20% has been added, raising his pension amount to Rs 42,000.
Dhankhar represented Kishangarh as a Congress MLA from 1993 to 1998. He was receiving his MLA pension until July 2019, when it was stopped after he was appointed Governor of West Bengal. Now, after stepping down from the Vice President’s position earlier this year, his pension has been reinstated according to the official rules.
According to the rules, a former MLA’s pension starts once their legislative term ends. However, if the person takes on a salaried or constitutional position like a minister, governor, or vice president, their pension is paused. In Dhankhar’s case, the Rajasthan Assembly was informed of his new roles, and after his tenure ended, he applied again to get his pension benefits back.
As per the rules, a retired MLA typically receives Rs 35,000 monthly. For every additional term beyond five years, Rs 1,600 is added. For example, a two-term MLA gets Rs 42,000, and a three-term MLA can earn about Rs 50,000. Also, seniors above 70 years old get a 20% increase in their pension.
Besides the pension, former MLAs are eligible for certain facilities and benefits under Assembly rules. With the approval of his pension, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who has served as MLA and held some of the country’s highest constitutional positions, now resumes his entitlements as a former Rajasthan legislator.
This development highlights the rules and procedures for pensions and benefits for retired legislators in India.
