Committee set up for settling pension for Freedom Fighters'

New Delhi, May 9 (UNI) Minister of State for Home Affairs Manikrao Gavit today informed the Rajya Sabha that a Committee has been set up to look into the delay in settling down the cases of pension for the freedom fighters.

Replying to Mr Jai Parkash Aggarwal (INC), Mr Gavit said that after the Committee's report, the cases would be settled fast.

On delay in making the pension payment, he said payments were made by the Centre to the States and then to the regional authorities.

Mr Sitaram Yechuri (CPI-M) expressed concern over denial to accord freedom fighter status to over 3000 freedom fighters. ''They do not want any money but are simply requesting for the status of freedom fighters. Hundreds of them also sat on dharna near Parliament to get the same.'' Mr Yechuri said that even after the Prime Minister had assured them that a Committee would be formed for the purpose, they were still waiting for the status.

The Minister also said that Andhra Pradesh Government had started making payments to eligible freedom fighters.

UNI