HC stays deduction in pension of freedom fighters' dependents

The Gujarat High Court today stayed the state government's move to deduct money from the monthly pension given to dependents of freedom fighters.
Based on a plea filed by aggrieved pensioners, Justice N V Anjaria issued notice to the state government and stayed deduction of pension money until further hearing which will be held after summer vacation.
According to a petition filed by a group of pensioners, dependents of freedom fighters were receiving Rs 6,000 per month pension but the government started deducting varying amounts from it, stating that it had paid them in excess of Rs 1,000 since 2012.

The petition said that the amount being deducted varied.
The government pleader told the court that dependents of freedom fighters were to be offered Rs 5,000 as per a circular dated 2012 and were paid excess which were being deducted.