Jaipur: Rajasthan Assembly has approved former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s application for pensionary benefits for his tenure as former Rajasthan MLA. Dhankhar, who represented Kishangarh as Congress MLA between 1993 and 1998, had sought restoration of his pension as former legislator under provisions of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (Officers and Members Emoluments and Pension) Act, 1956, which governs salaries and pensions of former MLAs.The Assembly restored his pension from July 22, the date his resignation as VP was accepted. Former MLAs receive a monthly pension of Rs 35,000, along with travel benefits. Once he attains the age of 75, Dhankhar, currently 74, will receive an additional 20% on base pension, raising it to Rs 42,000 per month. Dhankhar was drawing an MLA pension until July 2019, when he was appointed West Bengal governor. He was then elevated as Vice President in 2022. Following his resignation from the VP office, Dhankhar submitted a fresh application to claim the pension due to him as former MLA. As former MLA, he will be eligible to receive reimbursement of domestic air travel up to Rs 1 lakh annually and international travel subject to prior approval of the Assembly Speaker. Reimbursement for domestic travel by rail, air, ship or steamer, alone or with a companion, is also reimbursable, subject to prior sanction from the Speaker. Dhankhar will also be entitled to cashless medical treatment or reimbursement under RGHS, like other retired Class I officers. After a former MLA’s death, his or her spouse is also entitled to receive family pension.Apart from his tenure as former legislator, Dhankhar will also be eligible to receive pension as former Vice President, former Governor and former MP. He was Lok Sabha MP from Jhunjhunu from 1989 to 1991.
