(a) whether Government propose to formulate any scheme to provide facilities to Freedom Fighters at par with the former Members of Parliament;
(b) if so, the time by which such facilities are likely to be provided; and
(c) the number of freedom fighters in the country and the facilities being provided to them by the government?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MANIKRAO HOLDYA GAVIT)
(a) : No, Sir.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): From the inception of the Scheme, freedom fighters` pension has been sanctioned to 1,68,906 persons including their dependents. No record in respect of living freedom fighters presently drawing pension is maintained by the Government. Details of facilities available to freedom fighters drawing pension from Central Government are as under:
(i) Free Railway pass (1st Class/AC 2 Tier Sleeper) for freedom fighter/spouse with attendant for life;
(ii) Free medical facilities in all the Central Government hospitals and also in the hospitals run by the PSUs under the control of Bureau of Public Enterprises. C.G.H.S. facilities are made available to freedom fighters and their dependents;
(iii) Telephone connection, subject to feasibility, without installation charges and payment of only half of the rentals;
(iv) General pool government residential accommodation to freedom fighters in Delhi in the national interest. Spouse of freedom fighter is permitted to retain the accommodation for a period of six months after the death of the freedom fighter;
(v) Accommodation in the Freedom Fighter`s Home set up at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi for the freedom fighters who have none to look after them;
(vi) 2% dealership/distributorship of Petroleum Products allotted through Dealer Selection Boards are reserved for freedom fighters.
In addition to the above facilities, ex-Andaman Political Prisoners and their widows are entitled to the following facilities:-
(a) Free voyage facility to visit Port Blair once a year along with companion ;
(b) Free air travel facility to visit Port Blair once a year from Chennai/ Calcutta along with companion; and
(c) Facility to travel in Shatabdi/ Rajdhani Express trains along with companion.