North East
Guwahati: In a significant step undertaken by the state government of Assam, the monthly pension of Assam freedom fighters has been hiked to Rs 36,000. The Home and Political department of the state issued a notice on the orders of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The freedom fighters are currently receiving Rs 21,000 per month as pension. The amount has now been increased to Rs 36,000. The notification mentions that the decision of the pension hike has been made under the provisions of the Assam Swatantrata Sainik Relief Rules, 1988. All pensioners (those who are withdrawing State Fighters’ Pension) can avail this hike from the State exchequer.
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It has been a long standing demand of the Assam Freedom Fighters’ Association. In fact, the association had also staged a protest, ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls, demanding a hike in pension of the state freedom fighters.
“This hike from Rs 21,000 to Rs 36,000 will assist the freedom fighters and their dependent family members greatly,” said Assam State Freedom Fighters’ Association general secretary Dwijendra Mohan Sarma while speaking to a regional daily.
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Apart from the pension hike, the association also demanded an amendment in the clauses mentioned in the Assam Swatantrata Sainik Relief Rules, 1988. Citing the clauses as outdated and irrelevant in the present scenario, the members of the association want the state government to amend the rules in line with the changing times.
As per the association, there are 130 freedom fighters in Assam who are drawing pension under the Assam Swatantrata Sainik Relief scheme.
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