The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave ex-post facto approval to a 20 per cent hike in the pension for freedom fighters and their dependents, an official statement said.
This will also be applicable on pensions for the spouses, eligible daughters and dependent parents of deceased freedom fighters, under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme (SSSPS), 1980.
"The Prime Minister had announced that the pension for freedom fighters or their heirs will be increased on the basis of 20% plus DA (dearness allowance). The proposal has been approved," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after a meeting of the Union cabinet.
The revised scale of pension has taken effect from August 15, 2016.
An ex-Andaman Political Prisoners or their spouses will now get Rs 24,775, freedom fighters who suffered outside British India and their spouses will get Rs 23,085, the statement said.
Other Freedom Fighters and their spouses including those in the Indian National Army will get Rs 21,395 and dependent parents and eligible daughters, maximum three, will get Rs 3,380.
More From This Section
--IANS
ao/rn