Details on Freedom Fighters Pension: Reply by Govt in Lok Sabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

ANSWERED ON   27.08.2013

2921 . Shri O. S. MANIAN

(a) the total number of freedom fighters, their widows and the eligible dependents who are receiving pension under the `Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980` separately, State/UT-wise including Andhra Pradesh;

(c) whether the Government has received requests from freedom fighters and their dependents to increase the monthly pension under the scheme;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and

ANSWER

(a): As per the data furnished by Public Sector Banks and State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, about 49,000 freedom fighters and their eligible dependents from various States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh are drawing Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension through the Public Sector Banks and State Treasuries.

(b): Receipt and disposal of claims for grant of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension is a continuous process. No application, complete in all respects and recommended by the State Government is pending except 108 re-verification reports from Government of Andhra Pradesh which relate to applications for sanction of samman pension for participation in Hyderabad Liberation Movement. These verification reports alongwith applications for sanction of samman pension which meet the eligibility criteria are required to be considered by the Screening Committee of Eminent Freedom Fighters.

(c) & (d): Representations from various Freedom Fighters Organizations and individuals have been received from time to time to revise Swatantrata Sainilk Samman Pension Scheme. The Basic Pension of the Central Samman Pensioners was last revised in the year 2006. In addition to the basic pension, Central Samman Pensioners receive dearness relief, which is revised every year, on the basis of twelve monthly average increase in All India Consumer Price Index. With effect from 01.08.2012, Samman Pension is Rs. 16775/- per month, which includes basic pension of Rs. 6, 330/- plus dearness relief of 165% (? 10, 445/-). DR revision is due w.e.f. 01.08.2013. At present, there is no proposal under consideration to increase the pension of the freedom fighters.

(e): There exists a Committee of Eminent Freedom Fighters, chaired by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, to look into issues relating to welfare of the freedom fighters.

Source: Loksabha
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