New Delhi: Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar moved out of his official residence today, settling temporarily in a private farmhouse in Chhatarpur, South Delhi, more than a month after resigning from the vice-presidential post. The farmhouse, located in the Gadaipur area, belongs to Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala and serves as an interim arrangement until his designated type-8 government bungalow is ready.
Until now, Mr. Dhankhar had been residing at the Vice-President's Enclave near Parliament House. He has been allotted a bungalow at 34 APJ Abdul Kalam Road, but renovations and repairs will take approximately three months before it can accommodate him. Sources indicate that the 74-year-old former vice president has formally requested government housing from the Urban Development Ministry, in line with entitlements for former officeholders.
As per government norms, former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Prime Ministers are eligible for a type-8 bungalow in the Lutyens’ Zone, or alternatively, two acres of land in their ancestral region. Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on July 21, citing health concerns, came as a surprise it was the very first day of the Monsoon Session, though his term was set to end on August 10, 2027. An election to select his successor is slated for September 9, with NDA fielding Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan against opposition nominee B Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge.
Adding to his post-office privileges, Dhankhar is entitled to three pensions. Having served as a Congress MLA for the Kishangarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan from 1993 to 1998, he had been receiving a pension as a former legislator until July 2019, which paused during his tenure as Governor of West Bengal. Officials confirm that the 74-year-old now qualifies for Rs 42,000 per month as a former MLA, alongside pensions as a one-term MP (Rs 45,000 per month) and former Vice President.
While his gubernatorial role in West Bengal does not carry a pension, Dhankhar can avail of one secretarial staff member with a monthly reimbursement of Rs 25,000. His political journey spans decades, including representing the Jhunjhunu constituency in Rajasthan in the Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1991.
The move to the Chhatarpur farmhouse symbolizes a temporary pause in his official accommodations, as the former vice president awaits a formal government residence while navigating the post-office landscape of entitlements and privileges.