HP: Freedom fighter memorial to be raised

Shimla, Nov 21: The Himachal Pradesh government was considering a proposal to raise a state-level Freedom Fighter Memorial at a suitable place, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said.

Besides, a Suket Satyagrah Memorial will be raised in Suket area of Mandi district as a mark of respect to freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the freedom movement, the Chief Minister, who is also Chairman of the State Freedom Fighters Welfare Board, said in its 14th meeting held here yesterday.

He said a suitable place would be selected in consultation with the freedom fighters and intellectuals for raising the state level Freedom Fighter Memorial to pay homage to the martyrs of the nation hailing from Himachal Pradesh.

Mr Singh said his government was considering to launch a special drive for the recruitment of the wards of the freedom fighters after identifying the families of the freedom fighters, who had not so far been benefited under the two percent reservation policy of the government for the wards of the freedom fighters.

He said the government was also considering a special scheme aimed at providing soft loans to the freedom fighters for building house.

Mr Singh said the government had launched the 'Himachal Pradesh Freedom Fighters Samman Yojna' aimed at providing pension to the freedom fighters and transferring pensionary benefits to the widows and unmarried daughters of the freedom fighters after their demise.

About 1,126 people were availing the benefits under the scheme in the state.

UNI