Patna: Bihar has 196 surviving freedom fighters, placing the state second in the country after Telangana, according to data from the Central government.
The figures show that Telangana has 606 surviving freedom fighters, followed by Bihar with 196 and Maharashtra with 153. Bengal has 52, while Punjab has 66 surviving freedom fighters.
Thousands of people in Bihar participated in movements associated with India’s freedom struggle. Many of those who lived through the period have since died, leaving a shrinking number of survivors.
Government Benefits For Freedom Fighters
The Central government provides pensions and other facilities to recognised freedom fighters. The pension scheme was launched in 1972 during the tenure of then prime minister Indira Gandhi, with an initial monthly pension of Rs 200.
Under the current pension structure, freedom fighters receive a basic pension along with dearness allowance, with the amount varying according to the category of the beneficiary.
Ex-Andaman political prisoners receive Rs 46,800 a month, including Rs 30,000 basic pension and Rs 16,800 dearness allowance.
Those who suffered torture outside British India receive Rs 43,680 a month, while other eligible freedom fighters, including members of the Indian National Army, receive Rs 40,560.
A portion of the pension is also payable to the spouse and eligible dependents, subject to the scheme’s conditions. Up to three daughters can receive benefits under the provision.
Bihar Has 986 Beneficiaries
According to the Central government data, Bihar has 196 surviving freedom fighters, 778 spouses and 12 daughters receiving benefits, taking the total number of beneficiaries in the state to 986.
Telangana has the highest number, with 606 freedom fighters, 2,171 spouses and 35 daughters, for a total of 2,812 beneficiaries.
Maharashtra has 153 surviving freedom fighters, 1,193 spouses and 91 daughters, taking its total to 1,437.
Across the states and Union territories listed in the data, there are 1,553 surviving freedom fighters, 9,776 spouses and 1,569 daughters, making 12,898 beneficiaries in total.
No Surviving Freedom Fighters In Eight Regions
The data records no surviving freedom fighters in Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh and Lakshadweep.
Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Lakshadweep also have no surviving spouses or dependents recorded under the scheme.
Who Qualifies As A Freedom Fighter?
The freedom fighter status covers socio-political activists who participated in the struggle to end British rule in India.
The recognition also extends to people who participated in the liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule, the Hyderabad struggle and members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army.
Other Facilities
Recognised freedom fighters are entitled to several facilities in addition to pension benefits.
They are provided a lifetime free railway pass for travel with one companion on trains, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and Duronto services.
They are also eligible for free medical treatment under the Central Government Health Scheme and at hospitals operated by public sector undertakings, subject to applicable provisions.
Freedom fighters and eligible dependents can also use free transit accommodation, along with one companion, at Bihar Bhawan in New Delhi.
In Bihar, grandchildren of freedom fighters, including those from both paternal and maternal sides, are also covered by a provision for 2% horizontal reservation in government jobs, subject to the applicable rules.
