mha.nic.in Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme : Ministry of Home Affairs

Organization : Ministry of Home Affairs
Scheme Name : Swatantrata Sanik Samman Pension Scheme
Details Here : https://www.statusin.in/uploads/22451-Pension.pdf
Home Page : http://mha.nic.in/scheme

MHA Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme

During Twenty fifth anniversary (Silver Jubilee year) of Independence a Central Scheme for the grant of pension to freedom fighters and their families from Central Revenues was introduced by the Government of India.

Related : MHA Modernisation of Prisons Scheme : www.statusin.in/22448.html

The Scheme commenced from 15th August, 1972 and provided for the grant of pension to living freedom fighters and their families; if they are no more alive, and to the families or martyrs.

The minimum quantum of pension sanctioned to a freedom fighter by Rs.200/- p.m. and in case of families varied from Rs.100/- to Rs.200/- in accordance with the size and number of eligible dependents in the family. Till 31st July, 1980 the Freedom fighters pension was admissible only to those who were in need of financial assistance on account of their meager annual gross income.

Thus an annual income ceiling of Rs.5000/- was enforced for eligibility to pension. From 1.8.1980, the benefit of the pension scheme has been extended to all freedom fighters as a token of SAMMAN to them.

2. Enhanced Rate of Pension :
Note only the income ceiling has been removed from 1st August, 1980 but quantum of monthly pension has also been raised. The monthly pension has thus been increased from Rs.200/- to Rs.300/- in case of living freedom fighters and from Rs.100/- to Rs.200/- to the widow of the late freedom fighter with additional Rs.50 p.m. each for unmarried daughter up to a maximum limit of Rs.300/- per month.

3. Who are Eligible Dependents :
For the purpose of grant of Samman pension, family includes (if the freedom fighter is not alive) mother, father, widower/widow if he/she has not since remarried, unmarried daughters.

Not more than one eligible dependent can be granted pension and in the event of availability of more than one dependent the sequence of eligibility will be widow/widower, unmarried daughters, mother and father.

4. Eligibility :
For the purpose of grant of Samman pension under the scheme, a freedom fighter is :

(a) A person who had suffered a minimum imprisonment of six months in the mainland jails before Independence. However, ex-INA personnel will be eligible for pension if the imprisonment/detention suffered by them was outside India. The minimum period of actual imprisonment for eligibility of pension has been reduced to three months, in case of women and SC/ST freedom fighters from 01.08.1980.

Explanation :
1. Detention under the orders of the competent authority will be considered as imprisonment.
2. Period of normal remission up to one month will be treated as part of actual imprisonment.
3. In the case of a trial ending in conviction, under trial period will be counted towards actual imprisonment suffered.
4. Broken period of imprisonment will be totaled up for computing the qualifying period.

(b) A person who remained underground for more than six months provided he was :
1. a proclaimed offender; or
2. one on whom an award for arrest/head was announced; or
3. one for whose detention order was issued but not served.

(c) A person interned in his home or externed from his district provided the period of internment/externment was six months or more.
(d) A person whose property was confiscated or attached and sold due to participation in the freedom struggle.

(e) A person who became permanently incapacitated during firing or lathi charge.
(f) A person who lost his job (Central or State Government) and thus means of livelihood for participation in national movement.

A MARTYR is a person who died or who was killed in action or in detention or was awarded capital punishment while participation in a National Movement for emancipation of India. It will include an ex-INA or ex-Military person who died fighting the British.