Not enough, say pensioners
Srinagar – The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued orders for enhancement in the rates of pension for the states freedom Fighters and their dependents.
Orders to this effect have been issued by the state government vide its order number 922-GAD of 2012, a copy of which lies with KNS.
As per the order, pension in case of living freedom fighters has been enhanced to rupees 3000 per month from rupees 1500 per month.
New rates of pension for widows have been increased to Rs 1800 per month, who were being paid at the rate of rupees 900 per month, previously.
Similarly, the new pension rate for un-married daughters of freedom fighters has been enhanced to rupees 1200 per month. Earlier, they were being paid rupees 600 per month.
Previous enhancement in pension was made in October 2006 when the rates were enhanced to rupees 1500 per month for living freedom fighter from Rs 750 per month, for widows from Rs 450 to 900 per month and for unmarried daughters of the freedom fighters it had been enhanced to Rs 600 from Rs 300.
Meanwhile, a group of beneficiaries while talking to KNS, expressed dissatisfaction over the increase in pension, demanding a major increase in the pension rates to bring it at par with such pension rates in other states.
This is a joke with us and with our elders who have sacrificed everything for the states freedom. An elderly person would require much more for just his medicine these days. What would a girl do with 1200 rupees? It wont even suffice for her pocket money, the beneficiaries said.
Pertinently, other States have much higher pension atesthan the State of J&K.
The Punjab government recently enhanced monthly pension of freedom fighters and their widows from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 with effect from August 2012, while as government of Tamil Nadu hiked monthly pension of freedom fighters from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000. (KNS)
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