The Congress in Maharashtra Thursday welcomed the decision by the party-led government in Madhya Pradesh to put on hold payment ofpensionto those detained under theMaintenance ofInternal Security Act(MISA) duringthe Emergency.
The scheme was launched by the previous BJP government.
A government order of December 29 had said Madhya Pradesh officials have been directed to carry out physical verification of former MISA detainees, and until this exercise is over, the monthly pension of Rs 25,000 should not be paid.
Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant claimed the scheme mostly benefitted people affiliated with the BJP or the Sangh Parivar.
"This scheme was like an insult to martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the freedom movement. We welcome the MP government's decision to suspend payment to (MISA) pensioners," he said.
Sawant criticised the BJP-led government in Maharashtra for not fulfilling its promise of providing houses to the kin of freedom fighters, saying it has done "nothing" so far.
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"It has been over three years since the Government of Maharashtra announced (a scheme) to provide houses to the kin of freedom fighters, but it has done nothing so far," he said.
This shows the lack of sincerity by the government towards freedom fighters and their cause, Sawant added.