New Delhi: Pension of Freedom fighters has been increased by the Central government after introducing the hike of 218 percent in DA in 2014-15. A report from Central Ministry Of Home Affairs.

The Central government has increased the pension of freedom fighters who worked tirelessly to make India Independent in 1947, after introducing the hike of 218 percent in DA in 2014-15. Home minister Rajnath Singh announced this on the occasion of 73^rd anniversary of Quit India movement.

Home minister addressed the occasion and said that “Mahatma Gandhi had started the movement and thousands of people joined him to become freedom fighters. Today is the 73^rd anniversary of historic Quit India Movement, this movement paved the way for India’s freedom”.

As per sources, the revised pension rate after improvement of DA from 193 percent to 218 is Rs. 23, 309 per month for former Andaman political prisoners, Rs. 20,129 for freedom fighters or their spouses and Rs. 4,770 for unmarried or unemployed daughters.

The freedom Fighters pension scheme was introduced on 15^th August, 1972 during the Silver Jubli celebration of Independence of India. As on January 1, 2015, the total numbers of pensioners are 35,900 out of which 11,434 are freedom fighters and 24,466 are widows and eligible dependents.

According to information, till July 31, 1980, the government has issued the minimum pension as Rs 200 per month for fighters only to those who needed financial assistance on account of their insufficient income. On August 1^st, 1980 with the effect of Swatantarta Sainik Samman Pension Scheme was sanctioned for all the freedom fighters.

As per sources, Telangana state has highest number of pensioners as 6,204 followed by Andhra Pradesh has 6,031, West Bengal has 4,394, Maharashtra has 3,866, Bihar has 2,972, Tamil Nadu with 2,005 and Uttar Pradesh has 1,710.