Govt hikes freedom fighters' pensions on Sonia's request

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Acting on the request of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the UPA Government has decided to raise the pension of the freedom fighters to mark the Centenary of the Satygraha being observed by the Congress.

According to an AICC release issued here by Congress Media Department Chairman Janaradan Dwivedi, Mrs Gandhi had requested Prime Minister Manamohan Singh to take this decision to commemorate the celebrations of the Centenary of Satyagraha in a befitting manner by the Congress.

The Government, according to the release, had increased the pension of Ex-Andaman political prisoners from Rs 7500 per month to Rs 11581 per month, that of freedom fighers (who suffered outside India) from Rs 6450 per month to Rs 10790 per month and that of other freeom fighters (including INA) from Rs 6000 per month to Rs 10,000 per month.

The Congress Party has thanked the Prime Minister for this gesture, the release added.

In her letter dated October 23, Ms Gandhi had requested the Prime Minister to consider two steps to be taken -- enhancement of freedom fighters' pensions and bringing out of a commemorative postage stamp-on the occasion of the anniversary of Satyagraha movement.

UNI YS VD BD1522