Freedom Fighters Awaiting Pension For Last 23 Years

New Delhi Aug 14 (UNI) On the eve of 60th Independence Day, 259 freedom fighters from Andhra Pradesh are still awaiting pension under the freedom fighter pension scheme.

Some freedom fighters aged 90, have approached the Delhi High Court to direct the Central Gvernment to clear the pension forms pending for last 10 years.

Justice G S Sistani has directed the government counsel to submit the list of pending applications filed by freedom fighters on October 24 and November 5 .

Petitioner Sandeep Sethi and B K Thakur told the High Court that in the year 1984, 259 persons all above the age of 70 had applied for the pension under the new Swatantra Sainik Samman Pension scheme 1983 .Though the state has cleared all the applications after verification the files are still lying pending in the Central government.

Lawyer of Central government Suresh Kaid, told the court that they are still numbering the cases.

The freedom fighters had fought a battle against Nizam of Hyderabad who was unwilling to join the Indian federation. Many citizens of the state which were under the rule of Nizam fought a peaceful battle and were imprisoned.

Under 1972 scheme the freedom fighters were granted pension for sufferings they had undergone during imprisonment.

For obtaining pension the applicant had to produce a document as evidence from official record. In 1980 it was said that the record had earlier been destroyed or were in torn condition and applicants find it very difficult to obtain such records from jail /court or other agencies. It was therefore decided to libralise and rename pension scheme as Swatantra Sainik Samman Scheme which came into affect with 1.8 1980.

According to this scheme freedom fighter had to prove his credential by getting it attested from two freedom fighters who had remained in jail for not less than three years. Lawyer of petitioners say these applications are pending from 1984. This shows total inaction on the part of the government.

UNI