The Union Cabinet today approved enhancement of the basic pension for unemployed and unmarried daughters of freedom fighters to Rs.1500 each per month for all three daughters. Earlier the pension was Rs.600 per month to the eldest daughter and Rs.350 each per month to the other two daughters. Under this scheme approximately 1100 unemployed and unmarried daughters of freedom fighters will be benefited. The sequence of eligibility of dependents is widow/widower, unmarried and unemployed daughters, mother and father of the deceased freedom fighter. The number of unmarried and unemployed daughters entitled for pension is restricted to three.
There have been demands from freedom fighters' organizations/associations to increase the basic pension for all categories. There is also a strong feeling that the amount of dependent pension given to unmarried and unemployed daughters is very low. With regard to the financial constraints, for the present, the Cabinet only considered increasing the dependent pension given to unemployed and unmarried daughters. The enhancement of pension is as follows:
| S.No. | Dependent | Present Amount (Basic Pension) Per month | Proposed Amount (Basic Pension) Per Month |
| 1. | Unmarried & unemployed Daughters
a) Eldest daughter
b) Other two daughters |
Rs.600/-
Rs.350/- each |
Rs.1500/-
Rs.1500/- each
|