The Freedom Fighters’ Pension Scheme (FFPS) was introduced on August 15, 1972 during the Silver Jubilee year of Independence. Till July 31, 1980, the Freedom Fighters’ pension was available only to those who needed financial assistance on account of their meagre gross income; and the minimum pension sanctioned to a freedom fighter was Rs. 200 per month.
The revised rate of pension, as on August 1, 2014, after enhancement of DA (from 193 per cent), is Rs. 23,309 per month for former Andaman political prisoners, Rs. 20,129 for freedom fighters/spouses and Rs. 4,770 for unmarried/unemployed daughters.
This is due to the hike of 218 per cent in DA in 2014-15 proposed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on 8th August'15
The number of freedom fighters pensioners as on January 1, 2015 was 11,434 and widows and eligible dependents were 24,466, adding up to 35,900.
The highest number of freedom fighter pensioners live in Telangana (6,204), followed by Andhra Pradesh (6,031), West Bengal (4,394), Maharashtra (3,866), Bihar (2,972), Tamil Nadu (2,005) and Uttar Pradesh (1,710).
Source: Internet & The Hindu
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