Freedom fighters’ pension hiked by 20% from August 2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interating with freedom fighters at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Picture: IANS
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday gave ex-post facto approval to a 20 per cent hike in the pension for freedom fighters and their dependents.
The hike will also be applicable on pensions for the spouses, eligible daughters and dependent parents of deceased freedom fighters, under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme (SSSPS), 1980.
“The Prime Minister had announced that the pension for freedom fighters or their heirs will be increased on the basis of 20 percent plus DA (dearness allowance). The proposal has been approved,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after a meeting of the Union cabinet.
The revised scale of pension has taken effect from August 15, 2016.
An ex-Andaman Political Prisoners or their spouses will now get Rs 24,775, freedom fighters who suffered outside British India and their spouses will get Rs 23,085, the statement said.
Other Freedom Fighters and their spouses including those in the Indian National Army will get Rs 21,395 and dependent parents and eligible daughters, maximum three, will get Rs 3,380.
In his Independence Day speech this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the government would increase freedom fighters’ pension.
While addressing the nation on the 70th Independence Day from the Red Fort, Modi had said, “The government is taking steps to increase the pension for freedom fighters by 20 per cent. So those who are receiving Rs 25,000, will now get Rs 30,000. This is a small act of reverence on my behalf.”
