BHUBANESWAR: In a significant move to honour those who resisted the Emergency in 1975, state govt on Monday announced a monthly pension of Rs 20,000 for individuals who were imprisoned during that period. The pension scheme, effective from Jan 1, follows chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s pledge on Independence Day to recognise them.
The historic decision puts Odisha in league with several other states, including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Assam, who have similar pension schemes in place for Emergency detainees. A home department resolution said the state govt will also cover all medical expenses for the Emergency detainees. Eligible persons have to apply for the pension and medical benefits.
All those arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, Defence of India Rules (DIR), and The Defence and Internal Security of India Rules during the Emergency from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, will be eligible to apply for the pension. Sources said more than 300 people in Odisha are eligible to apply, which would entail an annual expenditure of Rs 8 crore for the govt.
District-level committees headed by the respective collectors will prepare the list of eligible beneficiaries. For the healthcare benefits, the health department will draw up the plan.
The home department resolution said the benefits will be withdrawn if the beneficiary is found to be involved in anti-national or criminal activities and punished by the court of law. Those claiming benefits by producing false documents will face prosecution. Money paid to them will be recovered with an annual 12% interest.
While most other states have different pension amounts for the detainees depending on the period they spent in jails, Odisha has fixed the same amount for all irrespective of the period of incarceration. For example, Madhya Pradesh gives Rs 10,000 to those jailed below one month and Rs 30,000 to those above one month.
The historic decision puts Odisha in league with several other states, including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Assam, who have similar pension schemes in place for Emergency detainees. A home department resolution said the state govt will also cover all medical expenses for the Emergency detainees. Eligible persons have to apply for the pension and medical benefits.
All those arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, Defence of India Rules (DIR), and The Defence and Internal Security of India Rules during the Emergency from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, will be eligible to apply for the pension. Sources said more than 300 people in Odisha are eligible to apply, which would entail an annual expenditure of Rs 8 crore for the govt.
District-level committees headed by the respective collectors will prepare the list of eligible beneficiaries. For the healthcare benefits, the health department will draw up the plan.
The home department resolution said the benefits will be withdrawn if the beneficiary is found to be involved in anti-national or criminal activities and punished by the court of law. Those claiming benefits by producing false documents will face prosecution. Money paid to them will be recovered with an annual 12% interest.
While most other states have different pension amounts for the detainees depending on the period they spent in jails, Odisha has fixed the same amount for all irrespective of the period of incarceration. For example, Madhya Pradesh gives Rs 10,000 to those jailed below one month and Rs 30,000 to those above one month.
