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This pension scheme, started on August 15, 1972, by the Ministry of Home Affairs, offers financial support Read More... to living freedom fighters and the families of martyrs. Read less
Details
India owes its freedom to the brave individuals who fought tirelessly against British rule. The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme is a way for the nation to honour their sacrifice and provide financial security to them and their families.
What Is This Scheme?
Launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs on August 15, 1972, the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme is a special pension offered to freedom fighters who contributed to India's independence. If a freedom fighter is no longer alive, the pension benefits extend to their eligible family members as a mark of respect and gratitude.
Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?
The scheme primarily benefits individuals who actively participated in the freedom struggle. This includes:
- Living freedom fighters.
- Families of freedom fighters who have passed away.
- Families of martyrs.
Specific eligibility conditions related to imprisonment, periods spent underground, internment, property loss, or permanent incapacitation during the freedom movement are detailed below.
Why This Scheme Is Important
This scheme serves as a vital financial support system, acknowledging the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. It ensures that those who fought for India's liberty and their families receive due recognition and financial assistance, helping them live with dignity.
Objective
Benefits
Sources and references
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered a freedom fighter for pension purposes, you must meet one of the following:
- Suffered Imprisonment: A person who spent at least six months in jail in the mainland before India's Independence. This minimum period is reduced to three months for women and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe freedom fighters from August 1, 1980.
- Detention ordered by a competent authority counts as imprisonment.
- Up to one month of normal remission is counted as part of actual imprisonment.
- Trial periods ending in conviction are included in actual imprisonment.
- Broken periods of imprisonment are added together to meet the qualifying duration.
- Remained Underground: A person who stayed hidden for over six months, provided they were declared a proclaimed offender, had an arrest/head reward issued against them, or had a detention order that could not be served.
- Interned or Externed: A person who was confined to their home or banished from their district for six months or more due to their participation in the freedom struggle.
- Property Loss: A person whose property was confiscated or attached and sold because they participated in the freedom struggle.
- Permanent Incapacitation: A person who became permanently disabled due to firing or lathi charges during the freedom movement.
- Job Loss: A person who lost their Central or State Government job and their means of livelihood for participating in the national movement.
Eligible Dependents (if the freedom fighter is deceased):
- Mother
- Father
- Widower or Widow (if not remarried)
- Unmarried Daughters
Only one eligible dependent can receive the pension. If multiple dependents are eligible, the order of priority is: widow/widower, unmarried daughters, mother, and then father.
How To Apply
- Obtain a free copy of the prescribed application form from the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration or the Freedom Fighters’ Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
- Fill out the application form completely.
- Submit the application form with all required documents.
- Send one copy of the application form to the Chief Secretary of the State Government/Union Territory Administration concerned.
- Send a second copy of the application form to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi – 3 as an advance copy.
Documents Required
At the Time of Application:
You need to provide documents based on your contribution to the freedom struggle:
- For Imprisonment/Detention: A certificate from jail authorities, District Magistrates, or State Government. If these are unavailable, a co-prisoner certificate from a sitting MP or MLA, or Ex-MP or Ex-MLA detailing the jail period is acceptable (Annexure-I).
- For Remaining Underground: Court/Government orders proclaiming you as an offender, announcing an award for your arrest/head, or ordering your detention. If official records are missing, certificates from veteran freedom fighters with at least five years of imprisonment can be used (Annexure-II).
- For Internment or Externment: The order of internment/externment or other supporting documents. Similar to 'underground' cases, certificates from prominent freedom fighters may be used if official records are unavailable.
- For Loss of Property, Job, etc.: Orders of confiscation and sale of property, or orders of dismissal/removal from service.
NOTE: For 'underground' and 'internment/externment' suffering, the certifier veteran freedom fighter and the applicant should be from the same pre-reorganisation administrative unit and have operated in the same area.
At the Time of Receiving Pension:
You will need the following identification documents to receive your pension from the Treasury Officer/Sub-Treasury Officer:
- Photograph.
- Two prominent identification marks.
- Specimen signature or left-hand thumb and finger impressions, attested by a competent authority (especially for those who are not literate enough to sign).
- Date of birth.
FAQ’s
What kind of identification is required when I go to collect my pension?
When you go to collect your pension, you'll need to provide a photograph, details of two prominent identification marks on your body, your signature or thumb impression (attested by an authorized person if you can't sign), and your date of birth.
If I was declared a proclaimed offender, how do I prove I was underground for pension eligibility?
To prove you were underground, you'll need official court or government orders that declared you an offender, announced a reward for your arrest, or ordered your detention. If these official documents aren't available, you can get a certificate from a well-known freedom fighter who underwent imprisonment for at least five years.
What if official records for my internment or externment are not available?
If official records for your internment or externment are missing, you can submit the internment or externment order itself, or any other supporting documents. Additionally, certificates from respected freedom fighters who were imprisoned for five years or more can be used as proof.
How is the total imprisonment period calculated if it was broken?
All the broken periods of imprisonment are added together to calculate the total qualifying period needed for pension eligibility.
Are movements aimed at merging princely states after August 15, 1947, considered part of the freedom struggle?
Yes, any movements that worked towards the merger of Princely States within the Indian Union after August 15, 1947, are recognized as part of the National Freedom Movement for this pension scheme.
How does the scheme define a 'martyr' for pension purposes?
A martyr is someone who lost their life or was killed while participating in a National Movement for India's freedom. This includes those who died during action, in detention, or were executed.
What are the pension amounts for different categories of freedom fighters and their dependents?
As of August 15, 2016, Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners/Spouses receive ₹30,900 (including DR). Those who suffered outside British India/Spouses get ₹28,840. Other freedom fighters/spouses (including INA) receive ₹26,780. Dependent parents/daughters get 50% of these amounts, ranging from ₹13,390 to ₹15,450.
Who can get the pension if the freedom fighter is no longer alive?
If the freedom fighter is deceased, the pension can be given to their mother, father, widower/widow (if not remarried), or unmarried daughters. The pension is given in a specific order: first to the widow/widower, then to unmarried daughters, then to the mother, and finally to the father.
What's the minimum imprisonment duration for freedom fighters to be eligible?
Generally, you need to have suffered a minimum imprisonment of six months. However, for women and SC/ST freedom fighters, this minimum period was reduced to three months starting from August 1, 1980.
How is the period of being on trial counted towards my imprisonment time?
If your trial ended in a conviction, the entire period you spent on trial will be counted as part of the actual imprisonment you suffered.
What types of movements are included in the National Freedom Struggle for pension eligibility?
Any movement or mutiny that was against the British, French (in Pondicherry), or Portuguese (in Goa) and aimed at achieving India's freedom is considered part of the National Freedom Struggle.
How long must a person be interned or externed to qualify for the pension?
For a person interned in their home or externed from their district to be eligible for a pension, the period of internment or externment must be for six months or more.
What is the rule for remission periods in jail?
A period of normal remission, up to one month, is considered as part of the actual imprisonment suffered when calculating eligibility.
How can I get an application form for this pension scheme?
You can request a free copy of the application form from your State Government or Union Territory Administration. You can also get it from the Freedom Fighters’ Division located in the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
Does detention count as imprisonment for this scheme?
Yes, detention under the orders of a competent authority is considered as imprisonment for the purpose of this scheme.
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