Trust plea to Centre on pension

Pondicherry, Feb 22 (UNI) The Edward Goubert Endowment Trust here today called for Centre's intervention for providing pension to freedom fighters who opted for Indian citizenship after the liberation of Pondicherry from the French.

In a memorandum to the President, Prime Minister and AICC President, a copy of which was released to the press here, Trust President D Sivaraj said the French Government gave six months time beginning August 15, 1962 for people to opt for French or Indian citizenship.

Several chose to become Indian citizens. Recently, the Centre had granted a pension of Rs 4000 for those who fought for freedom from the Hyderbad Nizam.

In Pondicherry, those who chose to become Indian citizens were living in poverty. Hence, they could be categorised as freedom fighters to help them get pension.

In a separate statement, he said the trust would organise a peaceful dharna at the Indira Gandhi Square here tomorrow to press for the demand besides seeking to honour Mr Edward Goubert,the first Chief Minister of Pondicherry, at par with Mahatma Gandhi.

UNI PAB YA SP1137