Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Freedom Fighter Pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2019

Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Freedom Fighter Pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2019

No.45/08/2017-FF(P)
Government of India/ Bharat Sarkar
Ministry of Home Affairs/ Grih Mantralaya
Freedom Fighters & Rehabilitation Division

2nd Floor, NDCC-11 Building,
Jai Singh Road,New Delhi - 110 001,
Dated,the 5th November, 2019.

To
The Pr. Chief Controller of Accounts(Home),
Ministry of Home Affairs,
MDCNS, New Delhi-110 001

Subject: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Freedom Fighter Pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2019 - regarding.

Sir,
I am directed to refer to this Ministry's letter No.45/08/ 2017-FF(P) dated 26.03.2019 (copy enclosed) regarding 10% Dearness Relief to be paid to the freedom fighter pensioners w .e.f. 01.01.2019 and to say that recently Dearness Relief in respect of Central Government pensioners has been enhanced by 5% by the Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, New Delhi’s O.M. No.42/04/ 2019-P&PW(D) dated 21.10.2019. Hence the Dearness Relief admissible to the Central Freedom Fighter/ spouse/ daughter pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 10% to 15% w .e.f. 01.07.2019. All the banks are requested to calculate the arrears w.e.f. 01.07.2019.

Also check: Enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme

The payment of arrears of Dearness Relief shall not be made before the date of disbursement of pension/ family pension of October, 2019. The revised amount of pension for various categories of pensioners after increase of 5% DR i.e. total 15% Dearness Relief will be as follows:

SI No.	Category of freedom fighters	Basic amount of pension (per month)	Enhanced amount of pension after adding 15% DR (per month) w.e.f. 01.07.2019.
1.	Ex-Andaman Political prisoners/ spouses	Rs.30,000/-	Rs.34,500/-
2.	Freedom fighters who suffered outside British India/ spouses	Rs.28,000/-	Rs.32,200/-
3.	Other Freedom fighters/ spouses including INA	Rs.26,000/-	Rs.29,900/-
4.	Dependent parents/ eligible daughters (maximum 3 daughters at any point of time)	50% of the sum that would have been admissible to the freedom fighters, i.e. in the range of Rs.13,000/- to Rs.15,000/-	50% of the sum that would have been admissible to the freedom fighters, i.e. in the range of Rs.14,950/- to Rs.17,250/-

Further, it is also clarified that as per Policy Guidelines dated 06.08.2014, TDS is not applicable in respect of Central Samman Pension.

This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.

Yours faithfully,

(Meenu Batra)
Deputy Secretary to the Government India & CPIO
Tele no: 23438062
e-mail: meenu.batra66@ nic in

Family pension to freedom fighters

Family pension to freedom fighters

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  HOME AFFAIRS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1502
ANSWERED ON-15.03.2017

Family pension to freedom fighters

1502 . Shri R. Vaithilingam
(a) whether it is a fact that the Centre is giving family pension to the freedom fighters;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government is considering to revise and increase family pension; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (d): Yes Sir. The Centre is giving family pension to the eligible dependents of the freedom fighter pensioners under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980, administered by Ministry of Home Affairs. As per the provisions of this Scheme, after death of the freedom fighter pensioner, his/her spouse(widow/widower) and after death of spouse, his/her unmarried & un-employed daughters (up to maximum of three such daughters at any point of time) and thereafter, mother or father of the freedom fighter pensioner are granted dependent family pension.

The freedom fighter pension/family pension has already been revised and increased recently by the Central Government with effect from 15.08.2016. The amount of pension being given under this scheme to different categories of freedom fighters and their dependents are as at Annexure. Dearness Allowance/Relief as given to the Central Government Employees/pensioners has been made applicable to the freedom fighter pensioners also.

Annexure

Monthly Amount of Pension provided under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980

Sl.No	Category of freedom fighters	Amount of pension before the enhancement on 15.08.2016 including Dearness Relief (Per Month)	Present amount of pension after the enhancement with effect from 15.08.2016(Per Month)
1.	Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners/spouses	Rs.24,775/-	Rs.30,000/-
2.	Freedom fighters who suffered outside British India/spouses	Rs.23,085/-	Rs.28,000/-
3.	Other Freedom Fighters/ spouses including INA	Rs.21,395/-	Rs.26,000/-
4.	Dependent parents/eligible daughters (maximum 3 daughters at any point of time)	Rs.3,380/-(dependent parents)Rs.5,070/-(daughters)	50% of the sum that would have been admissible to the Freedom Fighter, i.e., in the range of Rs.13,000/- to Rs.15,000/-

Source: RAJYA SABHA Q&A

Cabinet gives ex post facto approval to enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters

Cabinet gives ex post facto approval to enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex post facto approval to enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters and for the spouses (widows/widowers), eligible daughters and dependent parents of deceased Freedom Fighters, under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme (SSSPS), 1980.

The existing pension scheme for Central freedom fighter pensioners and their eligible dependents has been restructured as follows:

Sl.No	Category of Freedom Fighters	Present amount of pension (per month)	Enhanced amount of pension (per month)
1.	Ex Andaman Political Prisoners/ spouses	Rs. 24,775	Rs. 30,000/-
2.	Freedom fighters who suffered outside British India/spouses	Rs. 23,085/-	Rs. 28,000/-
3.	Other Freedom Fighters / spouses including INA	Rs. 21,395/-	Rs. 26,000/-
4.	Dependent parents/eligible daughters (maximum 3 daughters at any point of time)	Rs. 3,380/-	50% of the sum that would have been admissible to the Freedom Fighter i.e. in the range of Rs. 13,000/- to Rs. 15,000/-

(i) The revised scale of pension has taken effect from 15.O8.2016. Further, the revised total amount of pension will be taken as basic pension for the respective categories of Freedom Fighter pensioners for calculating Dearness Relief.

(ii) The existing Dearness Relief system based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers, which was so far applicable to freedom fighter pensioners on annual basis, is being discontinued and replaced by the Dearness Allowance system applicable to Central Government employees twice a year. This will be termed as Dearness Relief, the appropriate term in case of pensioners.

All freedom fighters and spouses and dependent parents/eligible daughter pensioners of deceased freedom fighters drawing pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980 would be benefitted by the decision.

Background

• Government of India introduced in 1969, the Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners Pension Scheme to honour the freedom fighters who had been incarcerated in the Cellular Jail at Port Blair. In order to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Independence in 1972, a regular scheme for grant of freedom fighters pension was introduced. Thereafter, with effect from 1.8.1980, a liberalized scheme, the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme is being implemented. Besides the freedom fighters, spouses (widows.widowers), unmarried and unemployed daughters (up to maximum three at any point of time) and parents of deceased freedom fighters are eligible for pension under the Scheme. Till 2016, a total of 1,71,605 freedom fighters and their eligible dependents have been sanctioned pension under the scheme. At present, 37,981 freedom fighters and their eligible dependent pensioners are covered under the scheme. Out of these, 11,690 are freedom fighters themselves, 24,792 are spouses (widows/ widowers) and 1,490 are daughter pensioners. Instructions have been issued to all the authorized banks for ensuring Aadhar linked disbursement of Freedom Fighter pension as early as possible.

PIB

Enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme

Enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme

The existing pension scheme for Central freedom fighter pensioners and their eligible dependents has been restructured as per the table below:

Sl. No.	Category of freedom fighters	Present amount of pension (per month)	Enhanced amount of pension(per month)
1.	Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners/ spouses	Rs.24,775/-	Rs.30,000/-
2.	Freedom fighters who suffered outside British India/spouses	Rs.23,085/-	Rs.28,000/-
3.	Other Freedom Fighters/ spouses including INA	Rs.21,395/-	Rs.26,000/-
4.	Dependent parents/ eligible daughters (maximum 3 daughters at any point of time)Rs.3,380/- (dependent parents)	Rs.5,070/- (daughters)	50% of the sum that would have been admissible to the Freedom Fighter i.e. in the range of Rs.13,000/- to Rs. 15,000/-

The revised scale shall take effect from 15.08.2016.

The existing Dearness Relief system based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers, which was hitherto applied to freedom fighter pensioners on annual basis, is being discontinued and replaced by the Dearness Allowance system applicable to Central Government employees twice a year.

All freedom fighters and spouses and dependent parents/eligible daughter pensioners of deceased freedom fighters drawing pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980 would be benefitted by the decision. So far, total 1,71,605 freedom fighters and their eligible dependents have been sanctioned pension under the scheme. At present 37,981 freedom fighters and their eligible dependent pensioners are covered under the scheme. Of these, 11,690 are freedom fighters themselves, 24,792 are spouses(widows/widowers) and 1,499 are daughter pensioners.

In 1969, Government of India introduced the ‘Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners Pension Scheme’ to honour the freedom fighters who had been incarcerated in the Cellular Jail at Port Blair. In 1972, to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of our Independence, a regular scheme for grant of freedom fighters’ pension was introduced. Thereafter, with effect from 01.08.1980, a liberalized scheme, namely the ‘Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme’ is being implemented. Besides the freedom fighters, spouses (widows/widowers), unmarried and unemployed daughters (upto maximum three at any point of time) and parents of deceased freedom fighters are eligible for pension under the scheme.

PIB

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]

Parents of Posthumous Unmarried Bravery Awardees to be Extended Facility of Complimentary Card Pass in 1st Class/2nd AC Passes for Freedom Fighters to be Renewed Every 3 Years

Parents of Posthumous Unmarried Bravery Awardees to be Extended Facility of Complimentary Card Pass in 1st Class/2nd AC Passes for Freedom Fighters to be Renewed Every 3 Years

The Union Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal has announced the extension of the facility of Complimentary Card pass valid in 1st Class/2nd AC to the parents of posthumous unmarried awardees of Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and Police Medal for Gallantry.

While presenting the Railways Budget for 2013-14 in Parliament today he announced that Police Gallantry awardees shall now be granted one Complimentary Pass every year for travel along with one companion in 2 AC in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.

Shri Bansal also announced that the requirement of renewal of the passes for freedom fighters is being raised to three years. Presently, freedom fighters are required to renew their passes every year which causes inconvenience to many of them in an advanced age. 

Source: PIB