Question : SURVEY ON FREEDOM FIGHTERS

(a) whether the Government has conducted any survey to find out thenumber of freedom fighters in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) the total number of freedom fighters/ their eligible dependents who are receiving Freedom Fighter Pension as on date, State-wise;

(d) the total number of applications pending/rejected for grant of such pension to the freedom fighters and their dependents as on date, State-wise;

(e) whether the Government has any proposal to transfer such application to other Ministry/Commission/Committee/ Agency for examination and approval; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a) & (b) : No such survey of freedom fighters was conducted by the Government. However, applications were invited from time to time for grant of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension.

(c) Since the inception of the Freedom Fighters Pension Scheme in 1972, pension has been sanctioned to about 1.71 lakh freedom fighters and their eligible dependents till 31.1.2010. State-wise details are annexed. Data relating to the exact number of freedom fighters and their eligible dependents who are drawing pension as on date is not centrally maintained, since disbursement of pension has been decentralized through Banks/Treasuries.

(d) Receipt and disposal of claims is a continuous process. 4,56,650 claims were rejected in the past since these did not fulfill the eligibility criteria and/or submit the required documentary evidence. Except for 673 cases relating to Hyderabad Liberation Movement, no other case complete in all respects and recommended by the State Government, is pending.

(e) & (f) : A Screening Committee of Eminent Freedom Fighters is already in place to scrutinize the claims of Border camps sufferers during Hyderabad Liberation Movement whose cases have been recommended by the State Governments. This Committee is meeting at regular intervals.