Question : PENSION TO WIDOWS OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS

(a) the total number of widows of freedom fighters getting freedom fighters pension in the country till date, State-wise including Karnataka;

(b) whether the Union Government has received any complaints regarding pension not being given to widows of freedom fighters in the country;

(c) if so, the details and reasons therefor;

(d) the number of proposals received from the State Governments for giving pension to the widows of freedom fighters during each of the last three years, Statewise including Karnataka;

(e) the number of proposals cleared during the said period till date, year-wise and State-wise; and

(f) the time by when all the proposals are likely to be cleared?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MANIKRAO H. GAVIT)

(a): In case of death of a freedom fighter who was receiving pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme 1980, the pension is transferred in the name of his/her dependents (widow/widower, unmaried and unemployed daughters, mother and father) as dependent family pension. The procedure for transfer of pension to the eligible dependents has been decentralized w.e.f. 1st May 1992. Under the decentralized procedure Pension Disbursing Authorities (Public Sector Banks and Government Treasuries) are authorised to transfer the samman pension to the eligible dependents. As such, statistics regarding the number of widows of freedom fighters who are getting freedom fighter’s pension in the country are not available with the Government.

(b) & (c) : Complaints are received from time to time regarding non-payment of pension to the widows of freedom fighters. Such complaints arise mainly due to the Pension Disbursing Authorities not being aware of the instructions regarding transfer of pension to the widows in case of death of the freedom fighter and also due to non-compliance of requisite formalities by the eligible widows. As and when such complaints are received, the concerned disbursing authorities are advised to transfer pension in accordance with the prescribed procedure and complainants are also informed to take up the matter with the concerned bank/ treasury.

(d) to (f) : Do not arise, in view of reply given in part (a) above.