HC: Pension of freedom fighters is not a charity
TNN | Jan 27, 2018, 06:43 IST
CHENNAI: For the second day in a row, the Madras high court
censured government authorities for their insensitive approach towards freedom
fighters pension scheme, saying that the valuable service rendered by such fighters
could not be dealt with lightly.
Justice R Suresh Kumar, appalled over the manner in which
applications for such pensions are dealt with by authorities, said:
"Freedom fighters' service to the nation is immeasurable. Had they not
fought for freedom, we the 1.2 billion Indians could not live with liberty,
rights, dignity and economical sufficiency. If any small amount is paid to them
by way of freedom fighters pension either by the state government or central
government, it is not a bonus or bounty to such great soul, as it shall be
considered only a token of recognition for the valuable services the great
personalities rendered to the nation."
Only on Thursday, another single judge of the court observed
that freedom fighters pension was not a charity, but conferment of an honour on
such selfless fighter, and directed the Tamil Nadu government to immediately
provide the benefit to a 89-year-old former member of Indian National Army.
Noting that grant of pension to political sufferers or
freedom fighters, who had rendered their valuable service in getting freedom to
this great nation, cannot be lightly dealt with, by anyone in this country,
Justice Suresh Kumar then directed the central government to provide the 30
years of pension arrears that ought to have paid to freedom fighter K P
Muthiah, (who died in 2002, without ever tasting the benefit) to his legal
heirs.
According to the petition, Muthiah had involved in the
freedom struggle, for which, he was imprisoned for six months in prison at
Jagarcha and Nilaganj camp jail in 1945.
(the times of india)