Grant of another installment of Dearness Relief to the Freedom Fighters w.e.f. 01.08.2015

Grant of another installment of DR to the FF and their eligible dependents under the SSSP Scheme, 1980, w.e.f. 01.08.2015

No.08/01/2015-FF(P)

Government of India/Bharat Sarkar

Ministry of Home Affairs/Grih Mantralaya

Freedom Fighter & Rehabilitation Division

2nd Floor, NDCC-II building,

Jai Singh Road, New Delhi-110 001

Dated, the 12th August, 2015

To
The Chief Controller of Accounts,
Ministry of Home Affairs,
North Block,
New Delhi-110 001.

Sub:- Grant of another installment of Dearness Relief to the freedom fighters and their eligible dependents under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension (SSSP) Scheme, 1980, w.e.f. 01.08.2015.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter No.08/08/97-FF(P) dated 16/20th August 1997 wherein it was decided that pension be linked with the price index in an appropriate manner.

2. Subsequently, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance,Department of Expenditure and after taking into consideration the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) for Industry Workers(IW) in June 1997 as the base, Dearness Relief @7% of the pension or dependent family pension was sanctioned w.e.f. 1st August 1998 vide Ministry of Home Affairs letter no.08/08/97-FF(P) dated 14th October 1998.

3 With reference to Central Samman Pension, the dearness relief is revised annually in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, With effect from 01.08.2015 the has been enhanced by 20%. The Dearness Relief revised/enhanced from time to time indicated as below:-

(i) @20% w.e.f. 01.08.1999.
(ii) @24% w.e.f. 01.08.2000.
(iii) @28% w.e.f. 01.08.2001.
(iv) @34% w.e.f. 01.08.2002.
(v) @39% w.e.f. 01.08.2003.
(vi) @44% w.e.f. 01.08.2004.
(vii) @50% w.e.f. 15.08.2005.
(viii) @58% w.e.f. 01.08.2006.
(ix) @68% w.e.f. 01.08.2007.
(x) @79% w.e.f. 01.08.2008.
(xi) @96% w.e.f. 01.08.2009.
(xii) @123% w.e.f. 01.08.2010.
(xiii) @143% w.e.f. 01.08.2011.
(xiv) @165% w.e.f. 01.08.2012.
(xv) @193% w.e.f. 01.08.2013.
(xvi) @218% w.e.f. 01.08.2014.
(xvii) @238% w.e.f. 01.08.2015.

4. Dearness Relief payable with effect from 01.08.2015, in terms of these orders, to various categories of the freedom fighters and their eligible dependent under the Swatantrata Saihik Samman Pension (SSSP) Scheme, would be as under:-

Sl.No	Category	Present rate of basic monthly pension (w.e.f. 02.10.2006) (in Rs.)	Dearness Relief @ 238% of the basic monthly pension payable with effect from 01.08.2015 (in Rs.)	Total Pension (in Rs.)
1(a)	Ex-Andaman Political prisoners	7,330/-	17,445/-	24,775/-
(b)	Freedom fighters who suffered outside British India (other than INA)	6,830/-	16,255/-	23,085/-
2.	Other Freedom fighters	6,330/-	15,065/-	21,395/-
3.	Widow/Widower of above categories of freedom fighters	Entitlement same as of the respective deceased freedom fighter
4.	Unmarried/unemployed daughters (Subject to a maximum of three such daughters at a time)	1,500/- each to all the three daughters	3,570/- each to all the three daughters	5,070/-
5.	Mother and Father	1,000/- each	2,380/- each/-	3,380/-

5. You are therefore requested to issue necessary instructions to all concerned to modify the existing pension payments Orders (PPO) of the freedom fighter pensioners and their eligible dependents in each case so as to effect commencement of payment of Dearness Relief to the extent indicated above. It is to be ensured that revised Dearness Relief is to be paid along with pension for the month of August, 2015, and no arrears payment on account of enhanced Dearness Relief is to be paid subsequently.

6. This issues with the approval of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure E.V. Branch given vide their ID No.1(7)/E-V/2004 dated 12.08.2015 and concurrence of Integrated Finance Division of Ministry of Home Affairs given vide their C.F.3305704/AS&FA(H) dated 12.08.2015.

7. Hindi version will follow.

Yours faithfully,

(Meenu Batra)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source:  http://cpao.nic.in/pdf/No_80_01_2015-FF.pdf

Embezzelement of Funds under Central Freedom Fighter Pension

Embezzelement of Funds under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension
  
Irregularities noticed in Central Freedom Fighter Pension:-

    Disbursement of pension to more than 3,000 dead pensioners for many years after their death
    Payment of wrong amount of pension to many pensioners

    Disbursement of dependent family pension to ineligible dependants who are not covered under the scheme

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs

13-May-2015 16:42 IST

    Embezzelement of Funds under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension

During the course of ongoing verification of pensioners receiving Central freedom fighter pension through various Public Sector Banks, certain irregularities like disbursement of pension to more than 3,000 dead pensioners for many years after their death, payment of wrong amount of pension to many pensioners, disbursement of dependent family pension to ineligible dependants who are not covered under the scheme have come to the notice of the Government. The banks were directed to recover the excess/wrong payment made to the pensioners/dead pensioners and on account of recoveries banks have so far remitted Rs.45.00 crores to the Central Govt. account. As a corrective measure, revised guidelines for the disbursement of Central Samman pension have been issued. Central Pension Accounting Office(CPAO) of the Ministry of Finance has been asked to keep reimbursement to the banks on account of Central Samman Pension within the budgetary provision. A Pension Disbursement Monitoring Cell has been set up to verify/monitor the disbursement of Central Freedom Fighter Pension by various Public Sector Banks to the eligible pensioners.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Shri Aayanur Manjunatha in the Rajya Sabha today.

Dearness Relief wef 01-08-2013 to the freedom fighters and their eligible dependants under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension (SSSP) Scheme, 1980

Dearness Relief wef 01-08-2013 to the freedom fighters and their eligible dependants under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension (SSSP) Scheme, 1980

No.08/01/2013—FF(P)
Government of India / Bharat Sarkar
Ministry of Home Affairs / Grih Mantralaya
Freedom Fighter & Rehabilitation Division

2nd Floor, NDCC-Il Building, Jai Singh Road,
New Delhi, the 8th November 2013.

To
The Chief Controller of Accounts,
Ministry of Home Affairs,
North Block,
New Delhi-110 001.

Sub:- Grant of another instalment of Dearness Relief to the freedom fighters and their eligible dependants under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension (SSSP) Scheme, 1980, w.e.f. 01.08.2013.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to this Ministry's letter No. 08108197—FF(P) dated 16th120th August 1997 wherein it was decided that central samman pension be linked with the price index in an appropriate manner.

2.    Subsequently, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure and after taking into consideration the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) for Industrial Workers (IW) in June, 1997 as the base, Dearness Relief @7% of the pension or dependent family pension was sanctioned w.e.f. 1st August 1998 vide Ministry of Home Affairs letter No. 08/08/97-FF(P) dated 14th October 1998.

3.    With reference to Central Samman Pension, the dearness relief has been revised periodically, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, as indicated below:-

(i)     @ 20% w.e.f. 01.08.1999.
(ii)     @ 24% w.e.f. 01.08.2000.
(iii)     @ 28% w.e.f. 01.08.2001.
(iv)     @ 34% w.e.f. 01.08.2002.
(v)     @ 39% w.e.f. 01.08.2003.
(vi)     @ 44% w.e.f. 01.08.2004.
(vii)     @ 50% w.e.f. 15.08.2005.
(viii)     @ 58% w.e.f. 01.08.2006.
(ix)     @ 68% w.e.f. 01.08.2007.
(x)     @ 79% w.e.f. 01.08.2008.
(xi)     @ 96% w.e.f. 01.08.2009.
(xii)     @ 123% w.e.f. 01.08.2010.
(xiii)     @143% w.e.f. 01.08.2011.
(xiv)     @ 165% w.e.f. 01.08.2012

4.    It has been decided to grant another instalment of Dearness Relief to various categories of the freedom fighters and their eligible dependents under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension (SSSP) Scheme, 1980, @ 28% with effect from 1st August 2013. The total Dearness Relief payable to various categories of the freedom fighters and their eligible dependents w.e.f. 01.08.2013 would, thus be 193%.

5. Dearness Relief payable with effect from 01.08.2013, in terms of these orders, to various categories of the freedom fighters and their eligible dependent under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension (SSSP) Scheme, would be as under:‑

SI. No.	Category	Present rate of basic monthly pension (w.e.f. 02.10.2006)	Dearness Relief @ 193% of the basic monthly pension payable with effect from 01.08.2013
1 (a)	Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners	7,330/-	14,147/-
(b)	Freedom Fighters who suffered outside British India (other than INA)	6,830/-	13,182/-
2	Other Freedom Fighters	6,330/-	12,217/-
3	Widow/widower of above categories of freedom fighters	Entitlement same as of the respective deceased freedom fighter	Entitlement same as of the respective deceased freedom  fighter
4	Unmarried/unemployed daughters [ Subject to a maximum of three such daughters at a time]	1500/- each to all the three daughters	2,895/- each to all the three daughters
5	Mother and Father	1,000/- each	1,930/- each

6. You are therefore, requested to issue necessary instructions to the all concerned to modify the existing Pension Payments Orders(PPO) of the freedom fighter pensioners and their eligible dependents in each case so as to effect commencement of payment of Dearness Relief to the extent indicated above.

7. This issues with the approval of Ministry of Finance given vide their U.O. ID No. 1(7)/EV/2004 dated 31.10.2013 and concurrence of Integrated finance Division of Ministry of Home Affairs given vide their C.F.3204654/AS&FA(H) dated 05.11.2013.

8. Hindi version will follow.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(R.C. Nayak)
Director (FF)

Source: http://cpao.nic.in/pdf/No_08_01_2013_ff(p).pdf

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

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

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2921
ANSWERED ON   27.08.2013

FREEDOM FIGHTERS PENSION

2921 . Shri O. S. MANIAN
VIKRAMBHAI ARJANBHAI MAADAM

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(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;

(b) the total number of applications received/pending/rejected for grant of pension to the freedom fighters and their dependents along with the reasons for pendency and the steps taken to clear all the pending applications, State/UT-wise;

(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

(e) the other measures taken by the Government to address the grievances/problems of freedom fighters and their dependents?

ANSWER
 MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI R. P. N. SINGH)

(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
[http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/psearch/QResult15.aspx?qref=144041]