NO PROPOSAL TO REVIEW THE SWATANTRATA SAINIK SAMMAN PENSION SCHEME

QUESTION

(a) the number of applications of freedom fighters from each State still pending with the Union Government;
 
(b) the efforts made so far by the Government to clear these applications;

(c) whether any irregularities have been reported in the sanction of pension to some freedom fighters;
 
(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes to review the eligibility of Freedom Fighters Pension Scheme for the benefit of freedom fighters who are too old/ afflicted by terminal diseases; and
 
(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
 

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 107 FOR 29.11.2011
 
(a) & (b): Receipt and disposal of applications for the grant of freedom fighter’s pension is a continuous process. 320 applications for the grant of samman pension for participation in the Hyderabad Liberation Movement are pending. These applications have been sent by the Government of Andhra Pradesh after re- verifying their genuineness. The applications which fulfil the eligibility criteria for sanction of samman pension along with the re-verification reports of the State Government will now be scrutinized by the Committee of Eminent Freedom Fighters which has been constituted for this purpose. The Committee will examine and recommend the sanction of samman pension in those cases which fulfil the eligibility criteria for the sanction of samman pension. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh is being regularly advised from time to time to expedite re-verification of the remaining cases referred to them.
 
Besides the cases mentioned above, no other application, complete in all respects and recommended by the State Governments, is pending.
 
(c) & (d): The Central Samman Pension is sanctioned to only those freedom fighters who fulfil the eligibility criteria and produce evidentiary requirements in support of their claims duly recommended by the State Governments/ Union Territories. Complaints/representations regarding ineligible claims are disposed off after examining them with reference to the applicable provisions of the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme in consultation with the concerned State Governments.
 
(e) to (f) At present there is no proposal to review the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980.