Govt approves continuation of freedom fighters pension scheme

The government today approved the continuation of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) till 2020, beyond the 12th Five Year Plan which ended on March 31, 2017.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The cabinet has approved the continuation of Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) during 2017-2020, according to an official release.
The approval provides for a monthly pension to freedom fighters as a token of respect for their contribution in the national freedom struggle and on their demise, to their eligible dependents like spouses and thereafter, unmarried and unemployed daughters and dependent parents, as per prescribed eligibility norms and process.

The financial implication for continuation of SSSY during 2017-2020 would be Rs 2,552.93 crore, the release said.