BHUBANESWAR: In a significant move to honour those who fought against the 1975 Emergency, the Odisha govt on Monday announced a monthly pension of Rs 20,000 for individuals who were imprisoned during that period. The pension scheme, effective from January 1, comes following Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi‘s Independence Day pledge to recognise them.
The historic decision puts Odisha in league with several other states, including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Assam, which already have similar pension schemes in place for emergency detainees.
A home department resolution said the state govt will also cover all medical expenses for the emergency detainees. The eligible persons have to apply for the pension and medical benefits.
Sources said there is no consolidated data on such people, which will be clear once they apply.
All those arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, Defence of India Rules (DIR), and The Defence and Internal Security of India Rules during the national emergency from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, will be eligible to apply for the pension.
District-level committees headed by the respective district collectors will prepare the list of eligible beneficiaries from the respective districts. For the health care benefits, the health department will draw up the plan.
The home department resolution said the benefits will be withdrawn if the beneficiary is found involved in anti-national activities or criminal activities and punished by the court of law. Those claiming benefits by producing false documents will face prosecution. Money paid to them will be recovered with 12 per cent per year interest.