Freedom Fighter Pension Cell

Functions of Government of West Bengal in respect pf S.S.S. Pension Scheme, 1980

The Central Scheme for grant of pension to Freedom Fighters and their eligible dependents (where the freedom fighters already expired) was introduced by the Government of India with effect from 15-08-1972.This Scheme was liberalized and renamed as SSS Pension Scheme, 1980 with effect from 01st August, 1980.Only the following categories of freedom fighters are eligible for SSS Pension subject to furnishing of the specified evidences.

Persons who considered themselves eligible for SSS pension under the scheme, applied in duplicate on the prescribed application form addressing to the Chief Secretary to the concerned State and the another copy was sent to the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, as an advance copy along with required documents as proof of claim of sufferings. The last date of receipt of application, invited in 1972, was fixed up to 31-03-1974 and finally the receipt of application has been stopped after 31-03-1982.

Activities and achievement of Freedom Fighter Pension Cell are related with the following subject matter:- The State Government used to send the particulars of the proposed freedom fighters to the concerned offices of the D.M., S.P., and Jail Authority etc. to issue the imprisonment / detention certificate, NARC etc. After obtaining the same, all the documents were submitted before the SAC. The SAC may recommend or reject the case. However, the report of SAC along with other reports is furnished to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Thereafter, MHA, scrutinizing the report of the State Government may issue sanction order or may reject the pension case.

ROLE OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT REGARDING SANCTION OF DEPENDENT SSS PENSION IN RESPECT OF THE SPOUSE/UNMARRIED AND UNEMPLOYED DAUGHTERS OF THE DECEASED FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Where the nomination was done earlier by the deceased Freedom Fighters and same was recorded in his P.P.O., the nominated person gets the pension automatically through the concerned office of the D.M. But if the same job is not done earlier, then after the death of the Freedom Fighter, his spouse or unmarried daughter has to submit the application for sanction of dependent family pension either to the office of the concerned D.M. or to the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. In that very case, MHA, Govt. of India, send the papers as received from the applicant for verification of the genuineness of the case to Freedom Fighter Pension Cell of Home Department. This Cell (F.F.P) send the verification report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India collecting the same from the concerned office of the D.M./S.P. etc. for taking necessary action at the end of the Government of India.

For details, visit MHA, Government of India website: FREEDOM FIGHTERS

STATE ALLOWANCES

Government of West Bengal had sanctioned monthly allowances to the Freedom Fighters and their dependents who are drawing pension from Govt. of India under SWATANTRATA SAINIK SAMMAN PENSION SCHEME but not receiving any allowance from the State Government vide Finance Department’s Memo No. 815-FPS dated 25-07-2005 and till 31-01-2013, and this Cell has been acted as Nodal Office in respect of sanction of State Allowance under the schemes “Assistance to Political Sufferer” vide Memo No. 815-FPS dated 25-07-2005 w.e.f. 01-08-2005 under the control of Finance Department of this Government. In terms order no. 03-APS dated 15-01-2013 issued by Finance Deptt., the said scheme has been discontinued. That Deptt. has issued another order No. 04-APS dated 15-01-2013 wherein a new scheme “Assistance to Freedom Fighters” has been framed for release of State Allowances in favour of S.S.S. Pension holder only. In terms of para-4 of that order Finance Deptt. will issue sanction order in that respect. As such, F.F.P. Cell is no more ‘Nodal Office’ in respect of sanction of State Allowances.

HIGH COURT CASES

In most of the cases of High Court, the respondent is Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. However, this Cell just has to shoulder the responsibility of a party in respect of claim of a petitioner. During 2014-2015, about 21 cases have been attended by our State Advocates assisted by F.F. PENSION Cell with supply of statement of facts and other relevant documents. Not a single case has been identified as “contempt of court” or “Ex party Decision”.

“AT HOME” PROGRAMME AT RASTRAPATI BHAVAN

Every year, President of India honours the Freedom Fighters from all over the country on 9th August. During 2014, as per request of MHA, Government of India, F.F.P. Cell sent 4 (Four) Freedom Fighters who received honour from President of India on 09-08-2014.

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