Freedom fighter pensions to be given as per 1995 GR in Maha

In the wake of some recent bogus pension cases of freedom fighters, Maharashtra government has decided to revise the process of sanctioning of cases and scrapped a previous government resolution (GR) in this regard.
According to GR of March 10, 1999, it gave authority to collectors and district committees to clear the cases at the district level.
However, as per the new decision, applicants, for freedom fighters pension, will have to furnish proof as per a GR of July 4, 1995, under which applications will be put before district committee by the collector.
The committee will scrutinise the applications as per provisions in the 1995 GR and give its recommendations.

A fresh GR was issued in this regard by general administration department (GAD) yesterday.
According to it, nature of participation in the Independence movement, Goa liberation and Hyderabad liberation struggle will have to be submitted in detail.

"If there is no mention (of nature of participation), the committee should make a mention about it in its report. Vague recommendations (by committee) will not be entertained," it read.
The district collector should also give his opinion about the applicants' proof and recommendations of the committee, the GR said.
Final decision will be taken by a high powered committee headed by the Chief Minister.

The scrapping of the 1999 GR was taken after incidents of fake freedom fighters cases seeking pension were reported in Beed district recently.
Cases will be filed against bogus applicants, the new GR said, adding that pension would be immediately stopped and the money will be recovered from the applicant if it comes to light that the proof submitted by the applicant was fake.