Govt to consider better facilities for freedom fighters' families

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said the government was willing to consider the suggestions to provide better facilities to the surviving freedom fighters and their wards.

Responding to the suggestions of Rajya Sabha, Mr Patil said the government regarded the sacrifice of lakhs of freedom fighters who had contributed a lot for liberating the country from the clutches of colonial powers. There were about 200,000 of them who were receiving pensions and other benefits and the number was much more and many of them did not even want to apply for pension.

He said it should have been the task of the government to help these freedom fighters on their own and offer them the benefits unsolicited after identifying their role in the freedom struggle.

''But that has not happened. I shall do my best to provide justice to this dwindling tribe of fighters,'' he said.

The House witnessed uproarious moments on two occasions when he declined to give an answer to the demand of Congress members that there should be no discrimination in extending help to the children of the freedom fighters. If the children of sons of a freedom fighter can get the benefit, why the children of their daughters should be denied, the members asked. When the women members persisted for a reply, Mr Patil said he could not bypass the rules and procedures and make a wrong announcement.

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