Question : REVIEW OF PENSION SCHEME

(a) whether the Government has received representations from various quarters to review/revise the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of representations received during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) whether the Government has constituted a Commission/Committee to review and revise the said pension scheme in view of the rise in price of essential commodities and the plight of the freedom fighters; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which such pension is likely to be revised/reviewed?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N.SINGH)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 564 FOR 07.05.2013.
(a) & (b) : Representations from various Freedom Fighters’ Organizations and individuals have been received from time to time to revise the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme.
(c) to (d): The Basic Pension of the Central Samman Pensioners was last revised in the year 2006. In addition to the basic pension, Central Samman Pensioners receive dearness relief, which is revised every year, on the basis of twelve monthly average increase in All India Consumer Price Index. With effect from 01.08.2012, Samman Pension is Rs. 16,775/- per month, which includes basic pension of Rs. 6,330/- plus dearness relief at 165%. At present, there is no proposal under consideration to increase the pension of the freedom fighters and no Commission/Committee has been constituted to revise the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. However, there exists a Committee of eminent Freedom Fighters, chaired by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, to look into issues related to the welfare of freedom fighters.