Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojna (SSSY) – Amendments in the Policy Guidelines for disbursement of Samman: MHA Order dated 10.10.2024
No. 45/03/2014-FF(P)
Government of India/Bharat Sarkar
Ministry of Home Affairs/Grih Mantralaya
Freedom Fighter Division
2nd Floor, NDCC-II Building
Jai Singh Road, New Delhi -110001
Dated: 10th October, 2024
Subject : Amendments in the Policy Guidelines for disbursement of Samman under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojna (SSSY) — reg.
The Freedom Fighter Division of Ministry of Home Affairs has been disbursing Samman under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) to the freedom fighters and their eligible dependents i.e. to their spouse and unmarried and unemployed daughters.
2. The Policy Guidelines for the scheme were last revised in 2014. The Revised Policy Guidelines were issued on 6th August, 2014 which is available on the Ministry’s website mha.gov.in. However, considering the difficulties faced by the beneficiaries under the scheme, the Revised Policy Guidelines, 2014 are amended herewith.
3. With a view to bring simplification in the SSSY, the following provisions of the Revised Policy Guidelines, 2014 are hereby amended: –
| S.No. | Existing Para | Amendment: |
| 1. | Para 2.1 — Each bank should obtain a Life Certificate once a year in the month of November from the concerned freedom fighter or the dependent, as the case may be in case where the pensioners are above the age of 80, the Life Certificate should be taken twice a year, once in May (Before 31 May) and once in November (Before 30 Nov). | Para 2.1 — Each bank should obtain a Life Certificate once a year in the month of November. (Before 30 Nov) from all SSSY beneficiaries. |
| 2. | Para 2.2 – If a pensioner does not submit his Life Certificate by 30″ November, the Bank should immediately stop the pension. If the pensioner submits the Life Certificate few months after the November deadline but before next 31§’ October, then the Bank may resume the pension & pay the arrears. | Para 2.2 is to be read with amended Para 2.3 |
| 3. | Para 2.3 — lf a pensioner does not submit his Life Certificate by 30th November and thereafter does not submit it even till next 31st October, then the pension is deemed to have been cancelled and in such cases, the bank should return the disburser’s portion of PPO to the CPAO. After the said deemed cancellation, if the pensioner re-appears either at the bank or at the Ministry, the pension shall only be resumed after a fresh sanction order is issued by the Ministry followed by an issuance of fresh PPO. In such cases, no arrears shall be paid. | Para 2.3 — If the life certificate is not submitted in November due to reasons beyond his/her control but submitted within next 3 years, then the bank shall resume the pension and also pay the arrears thereto.
However, If a pensioner does not submit his Life Certificate by 30th November and thereafter does not submit it even till next 3 years (31st October) then the pension is deemed to have been cancelled and in such cases, the bank should return the disburser’s portion of PPO to the CPAO. After the said deemed cancellation, if the pensioner re-appears either at the bank or at the Ministry, the pension shall only be resumed after a fresh sanction order is issued by the Ministry followed by an issuance of fresh PPO. In such cases, no arrears shall be paid. |
| 4. | Para 5.2 – After the death of the pensioners’ (whether freedom fighter himself or his spouse) the transfer of pension to the spouse/daughter will only be considered if she applies for transfer of pension within 6 months of the death. Application received after 6 months shall not be considered by the Bank but referred to the Ministry. The Ministry shall then take a view whether to allow dependent pension or not or whether any arrears are to be paid. | Para 5.2 — After the death of the pensioners (whether freedom fighter himself or his spouse/daughter) the transfer of pension to the spouse/daughter will only be considered by the bank, if she applies for transfer of pension within one year of the death. Application received after one year shall be referred to the Ministry by the Bank and the Ministry shall then consider the matter. |
| 5. | Para 5.2.2: The dependent pension shall be paid from the date of application by the spouse/daughter and not from the date of death of the pensioner. | Para 5.2.2-The dependent pension shall be paid from the date of death of the pensioner. |
| 6. | Para 6.2.2: However, in case the husband of a deceased woman freedom fighter re-marries then the family pension continues in such a case. In nutshell, the re-marriage clause is not applicable in case of a husband, who is getting dependent pension on account of his deceased wife who was a freedom fighter. | Para 6.2.2 is deleted. |
4. In addition to the above, the following provisions are also incorporated in the Revised Policy Guidelines dated 6th August, 2014:
- Any new application from original freedom fighters claiming Swatantrata Sainik Samman will not be entertained.
- Claim of those spouse and unmarried and unemployed daughters for dependent pension will be considered only if it is applied within three years of death of the original freedom fighter.
5. The above amendments shall come into force for all the applications received on or after the date of issue of this order.
6. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Ram Charan Meena)
Director (Policy)
Tel: 011-23438062
Email- rc.meena66[at]nic.in
COMMENTS