CM Mohan Majhi attends an event organised by the State Freedom Fighters’ Association in Bhubaneswar on Friday

BHUBANESWAR: The Mohan Majhi govt is planning to launch a new scheme to provide pension to family members of freedom fighters in the state, separate from the existing Freedom Fighters Pension Scheme under which Rs 9,000 to Rs 10,000 is given monthly to different categories of freedom fighters or their spouses and dependent unmarried daughters.
Announcing it at an event here to mark the celebrations of Kranti Divas, chief minister Majhi said, “The state govt is considering providing pension to the families of freedom fighters under the Kutumb Yojana.” The CM said his govt will identify the families of freedom fighters and give them due respect.”Behind all the success and all the joys of the present time lies the sacrifice of our great freedom fighters,” Majhi said.
Other than the state initiative, the Centre also provides Rs 35,000-Rs 40,000 every month under its Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana.
While the amount to be given under the new scheme or who will get it are still being worked out, sources said the Odisha govt plans to identify children of freedom fighters who are in distress, work out an eligibility criteria and offer a fixed amount per month. “Details will be worked out after consultation with stakeholders,” a govt official said. Sources said more than 4,000 freedom fighters were eligible for pension in Odisha.
Odisha on a new journey, says Majhi
The number has gone down to around 800 over the years.
Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of Quit India movement, Majhi said influence of this movement was widespread in Odisha as well. “From Cuttack to Koraput and Balasore to Bargarh, this movement ignited freedom struggle in the villages of Odisha,” the CM said and recalled the contribution of Harekrushna Mahatab, Nabakrushna Choudhury and Acharya Harihar among others.
The chief minister said another revolution is going to start in Odisha as people have started a new journey to move forward on the path of development, keeping Odia Asmita (self-respect) in mind. Calling upon people to join the struggle to make Odisha a developed state, Majhi said, “Let us each contribute as much as we can at the individual level to this new direction of development. We will surely succeed.”