Revised Pension and Dearness Allowance:
In recognition of freedom fighters’ contributions to India’s independence movement, their pension was revised on August 15, 2016. The annual dearness relief system linked to the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers was replaced with a biannual dearness allowance system, aligning with that of Central Government employees.
Additional Benefits for Freedom Fighters:
- Lifetime Railway Passes:
- Free travel in 2nd/3rd AC on Duronto Express and 1st/2nd AC on all trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi, for freedom fighters and their spouses, along with one companion in the same class.
- Medical Facilities:
- Free medical services under CGHS and access to hospitals operated by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) for freedom fighters and eligible dependents.
- Transit Stay:
- Complimentary stay with meals at State Bhawan, New Delhi, for freedom fighters, dependents, and one companion.
- Regular Monitoring:
- Collectors and SDMs are instructed to monitor the welfare of freedom fighters and address any pension-related issues.
Improvements in Application and Disbursement Process:
- Extended Application Period:
- Dependents now have up to one year, instead of six months, after the freedom fighter’s death to apply for pension transfer.
- Revised Pension Transfer Dates:
- Dependents’ pensions are sanctioned or transferred from the date of the pensioner’s death instead of the application date.
- Annual Life Certificate Submission:
- Pensioners are now required to submit their life certificate once a year, rather than twice.
- Restoration of Stopped Pensions:
- Banks are authorized to reinstate pensions that were stopped due to delayed or missed life certificate submissions for up to three years.
- Digital Verification:
- Introduction of Aadhaar-linked life certificate submission via the Jeevan Pramaan Portal.
- Notifications through SMS to remind freedom fighters and dependents to submit life certificates on time.
- Know Your Freedom Fighter/Family (KYFF/F):
- Forms introduced to gather updated information about freedom fighters and their families for effective tracking and verification under the scheme.