Considering the contribution to India’s independence movement, the freedom fighters pension has been revised on 15.08.2016.  Further, the existing dearness relief system based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers, which was hitherto applied to freedom fighters pension on annual basis has been discontinued and replaced by dearness

allowance system applicable to Central Government employees twice a year.  In addition to this, the following benefits are also extended to the freedom fighters:

1. Free life time railway passes of 2^nd/3^rdAC in Duronto, 1^st class/2^nd class AC by any train including Rajdhani/Shatabdi are provided to the Freedom Fighters/Spouse along with one companion in the same class.

 

2. Free medical facilities under CGHS and free medical treatment in hospitals run by PSUs are provided to the Freedom fighters and eligible dependents.

 

3. Free transit stay with meal at State Bhawan, New Delhi for Freedom fighters and eligible dependents alongwith one companion.

 

4. Collectors/SDMs have been directed to regularly enquire about the well-being of the freedom fighters and resolve their pension related issues.

 

          The following steps have been taken to streamline the application and disbursement process for the pension scheme, ensuring seamless experience for the freedom fighters and their families namely:

 

1. After the death of the freedom fighter, period of submission of application by the dependents to the banks for transfer of pension, increased from six months to one year.

 

2. Date of Sanction/transfer of dependent pension to eligible dependents has been amended from the date of application to the date of death of pensioner.

 

3. Pensioners are required to submit their life certificate to the banks once in a year instead of twice a year.

 

4. Banks have been authorized to re-start the stopped pension due to delayed/ no submission of life certificate from the present 01 to 03 years.

5. Submission of Aadhar link Life Certificate through Jeevan Praman Portal has been started.

 

6. Freedom Fighters / dependents being notified through SMS for timely submission of life certificates.

 

7. Know Your Freedom Fighter/ Family (KYFF/F) forms introduced for collecting updated information enabling efficient tracking and verification of beneficiaries under the Scheme.                     

 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

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  RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS/2633

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