Freedom Fighters : Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme Eligibility & How to Apply

15th AUGUST, 1981

During Twenty fifth anniversary (Silver Jubilee year) of Independence a Central Scheme for the grant of pension to freedom fighters and their families from Central Revenues was introduced by the Government of India. The Scheme commenced from 15th August, 1972 and provided for the grant of pension to living freedom fighters and their families; if they are no more alive, and to the families or martyrs. The minimum quantum of pension sanctioned to a freedom fighter by Rs.200/- p.m. and in case of families varied from Rs.100/- to Rs.200/- in accordance with the size and number of eligible dependents in  the family. Till 31st July, 1980 the Freedom fighters pension was admissible only to those who were in need of financial assistance on account of their meager annual gross income. Thus an annual income ceiling of Rs.5000/- was enforced for eligibility to pension. From 1.8.1980, the benefit of the pension scheme has been extended to all freedom fighters as a token of SAMMAN to them.

Not only the income ceiling has been removed from 1st August, 1980 but quantum of monthly pension has also been raised.  The monthly pension has thus been increased from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/- in case of living freedom fighters and from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 200/- to the widow of the late freedom fighter with additional Rs. 50 p.m. each for unmarried daughter upto a maximum limit of Rs. 300/- per month.

 

For the purpose of grant of Samman pension, family includes (if the freedom fighter is not alive) mother, father, widower/widow if he/she has not since remarried, unmarried daughters.

Not more than one eligible dependent can be granted pension and in the event of availability of more than one dependent the sequence of eligibility will be widow/widower, unmarried daughters, mother and father.

For the purpose of grant of Samman pension under the scheme, a freedom fighter is:-

• A person who had suffered a minimum imprisonment of six months in the mainland jails before Independence. However, ex-INA personnel will be eligible for pension if the imprisonment/detention suffered by them was outside India.

• The minimum period of actual imprisonment for eligibility of pension has been reduced to three months, in case of women and SC/ST freedom fighters from 01.08.1980.

• Detention under  the  orders  of  the  competent  authority  will  be considered as imprisonment.

• Period of normal remission upto one month will be treated as part of actual imprisonment.

• In the case of a trial ending in conviction, under trial period will be counted towards actual imprisonment suffered.

• Broken period of imprisonment will be totalled up for computing the qualifying period.

• a proclaimed offender; or
• one on whom an award for arrest/head was announced; or
• one for whose detention order was issued but not served.

(c) A person interned in his home or extemed from his district provided the period of internment/extemment was six months or more.

(d) A person whose property was confiscated or attached and sold due to participation in the freedom struggle.

(e) A person who became permanently  incapacitated  during firing or lathi charge.

(f) A person who lost his job (Central or State Government) and thus means of livelihood for participation in national movement.

 

A MARTYR is a person who died or who was killed in action or in detention or was awarded capital punishment while participation in a National Movement for emancipation of India. It will include an ex-INA or ex-Military person who died fighting the British.

Apart from the mainstream of the liberation struggle the movements/mutinies which were directed against the British (French in case of Pondicherry and Portugues in case of Goa) with freedom of the country as its ultimate goal are also treated as part of National Freedom Struggle for the purpose of grant of pension unless any movement(s)  is specifically decided as not qualifying for the grant of Samman pension.

The Movements for merger of erstwhile Princely States within the Indian Union after 15th August, 1947 and the freedom struggle in the former French and Portuguese possession in India (Colonies) are considered as part of the National Freedom Movement for the purpose of grant of Samman Pension under Scheme.

Persons who consider themselves eligible for Samman Pension under the Scheme should apply in duplicate  on  the  prescribed application form. One form duly filled and supported by required documents as proof of claim of suffering should be sent to the Chief Secretary to the State Government/Union Territory Administration concerned. The second copy should be sent to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, NDCC- II Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi – 11000I .as an advance copy.

 

Application forms can be obtained from either of two officers, i.e., State Government/UT concerned or  Freedom  Fighters’  Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, 1st Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi free of cost. All State governments/UT Administrations have been instructed to make available the prescribed application  forms  in sufficient number at all levels including Block I Tehsil level.

31.03.1974.    As  a result  of  liberalisation      of  pension  scheme  from 1.8.1980 to 31.7.1981 was given for filling applications for Samman pension. The persons who could not apply earlier due to any reason or who were not sanctioned pension  even though they were eligible may submit their applications immediately but before 31st July, 1981. This date was extended. The receipt of applications has since been stopped after  31.03.1982.

The applicant should furnish the documents indicated below whichever is applicable:-

Certificate from the concerned jail  authorities,  District Magistrates or the State Government in case of non-availability of such certificates co-prisoner certificates from a sitting MP  or MLA or Ex-MP or ex-MLA specifying the jail period (Annexure­ I in the application form.)

 

• Documentary evidence by way of Court’s/Government orders proclaiming the applicant as an offender, announcing an award on his head, or for his arrest or ordering his detention.

• Certificates from veteran freedom fighters who had themselves undergone imprisonment for five years or more if the official records are not forthcoming due to their non-availability.

• Order of internment or externment or any other corroboratory documentary evidence.
• Certificates from prominent freedom fighters  who  had themselves undergone imprisonment for five years or more  if the official records are not available. (Annexure-II in the application.).

The Certifier veteran freedom fighters in respect of underground suffering, internment/externment and the applicant should belong to the same administrative unit before the reorganization of States and their area of operation must be the same.

Orders of confiscation and sale of property,  Orders of dismissal or removal from service.

 

The receipt of advance copy of application form is acknowledged. The claim of the applicant will be scrutinized in the State Government/Union Territory administration in consultation with State Advisory Committee on the basis of copy of application submitted to them. After receipt of State verification and entitlement to pension report, the claim of the applicant is scrutinized and if found eligible Pension is granted. Sanctions are issued as applications are scrutinized and conveyed to the Accountant General of the areas with copies to the Chief Secretary of the State Government/UT Administration and the Collector/DC of the District concerned. Simultaneously, a communication conveying sanction of pension as also the amount of pension is issued to each  grantee.  Applicants whose applications are not approved are duly informed.

On receipt of sanction order, the Accountant General concerned will issue PPO authorizing the Treasury/Sub-Treasury officer concerned to make payment of the pension on production of identification documents which will consist of:-

• Photograph.
• Two prominent identification marks.
• Specimen signature or left hand thumb and finger impressions duly attested by a competent authority, in the case of freedom fighters who are not literate enough to sign their names.
• Date of birth.

On furnishing  these,  the  Treasury  Officer/Sub- Treasury  Officer will commence payment of pension.

 

Either in person from the Treasury or the Sub-Treasury, or

• at the  cost  of the  Government  if the  amount  of monthly pension does not exceed Rs.250/-

• on payment  of money  order commission  if the  amount of pension exeeds Rs. 250/-.

Through a banker if the grantee has opened an account with a bank. In such case, the pensioner shall have to prepare a bill every month, present it to his banker who will collect his pension from the Treasury or the Sub-Treasury on his behalf and credit it to his account.

With effect from 01.08.1980, facilities for drawal of pension through Public Sector Banks has been extended to freedom fighters pensioners.

Except in the case of unmarried daughters, the pension is for the life-time of the recipient. In the case of unmarried daughters, pension ceases immediately after they are married or become otherwise independent. In the case of death of a pensioner his/her heirs though otherwise eligible for pension will not automatically succeed to such a pension. They shall have to apply afresh with proof of the pensioner and their applications will be considered in terms of the Pension Scheme.

 

Freedom Fighters Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, NDCC- II Building,JaiSingh Road, New Delhi – 110001.