Odisha approves pension of Rs 20,000 each and free medical treatment to people jailed during 1971 Emergency

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has reportedly approved the proposals to provide pension of Rs 20,000 each and free medical treatment to people who were jailed during the 1971 Emergency, informed the Home Department today.

The Home Department in a press release said, “The State Government, after careful consideration, have been pleased to provide pension and other benefits, as indicated below, to the persons detained in jail in State of Odisha under MISA (The Maintenance of Internal Security Act, 1971) or DIR (The Defence of India Rules) or DISIR (The Defence and Internal Security of India Rules) during the period from 25.06.1975 to 21.03.1977.”

“Pension of Rs 20,000 per month shall be sanctioned in favour of the living persons (i.e. those who were alive as on 01.01.2025) irrespective of the period of detention in jail; and Free Medical Treatment can be availed as per the provisions contained in Health & Family Welfare Department Resolution No. 24786/H dated 21.10.2009 and Letter No 9990/H dated 24.04.2010,” it added.

It further said that these benefits will be provided for the period starting from 1st January, 2025. No benefit shall be paid for the period prior to 1st January, 2025.

It is to be noted here that Chief Minister Mohan Majhi during the 38th Independence Fighters’ Day on January 2 had announced to double the pension of the freedom fighters who were imprisoned. He had said to increase the monthly pension of the freedom fighters who were jailed during the freedom fight to Rs 20,000 from the existing Rs 10,000.

The CM also had declared to hike the pensions of the freedom fighters, who were not imprisoned, to Rs 15,000 from Rs 9,000. Besides, the freedom fighters who have been enrolled in the national pensioners’ list will now get Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 8,000, Majhi had said.