(a) whether the pensions to Swatantrata Senanis under the Goa liberation movement have not been disbursed for long even after sanctions from the Government;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government for early disbursement of pensions; and
(c) the total number of cases sanctioned but pending for disbursement of the pension to freedom fighters of Goa liberation movement?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MANIKRAO HODLYA GAVIT)
(a) & (b): Swantrata Sainik Samman pension is disbursed by Public Sector Bank Branches and Government Treasuries, which are the pension disbursing authorities. After a sanction order is issued by this Ministry, a pension payment order is issued by the Centrl Pay and Accounts Office (after ensuring due compliance of all requisite formalities under the applicable rules). There is natural time-lag between issuance of a sanction order and issuance of a pension payment order. The pension disbursing authorities commence payment of Samman pension to the freedom fighters (including those of the Goa Liberation Movement) immediately upon receipt of the pension payment orders. They have also been authorized to transfer family pension in the name of eligible independents (widow/widower, unmarried & unemployed daughters and mother/father) of deceased freedom fighter pensioners at their level (after ensuring due compliance of all requisite formalities under the applicable rules). There is natural time-lag between demise of a freedom fighter and commencement of disbursement of pension to the eligible dependent. The expenditure incurred by the pension disbursing authorities is reimbursed to them periodically by this Ministry in routine. No general complaints about delay in disbursement of pension by the pension disbursing authorities have been received from freedom fighters (including those of the Goa Liberation Movement). Individual grievances are appropriately dealt with.
(c): No statistics on this aspect are maintained in this Ministry.