Himachal CM hikes financial assistance for freedom fighters

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today announced enhancement of financial assistance for freedom fighters from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 and equal enhancement of pension of widows and unmarried daughters of freedom fighters from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000.
Singh was speaking on the occasion of state-level Freedom Fighters Conference at Jawalamukhi in Kangra district.
He also announced enhancing of amount for performing last rites of freedom fighters from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 and financial assistance from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 for performing last rites of widows of freedom fighters.
He said marriage grants to the daughters and granddaughters would be enhanced from Rs 21,000 to Rs 31,000.

He also announced to nominate two members of the wards of freedom fighters in Freedom Fighters Welfare Board and permanent entry of the families of freedom fighters in revenue records.
The chief minister also announced to clear the backlog in government jobs as soon as possible.

He directed completion of remaining roads to the houses of freedom fighters within six months and also to bring married daughters and granddaughters within the fold of existing two per cent reservation in government jobs.
"To the nameless and unsung heroes of our freedom struggle, we offer our humble tributes today. Their sacrifices nourished the body of independent India and we are blessed with the presence of large number of freedom fighters with us here on this occasion," Singh said.

He said, "Our independence was hard fought and as true sons of soil of India we need to preserve and pass on to the younger generation the mantra of conservation of traditions, customs, language and the history of valour of our freedom fighters by rising above selflessness".
He said that the soldiers from the state exhibited exemplary courage in wars adding "We should be proud of Major Somnath Sharma from Kangra who was conferred with the first Param Vir Chakra".
The Chief Minster said the state government had implemented a scheme for honouring the freedom fighters of the state under Himachal Pradesh 'Swantantrata Senani Samman Yojna' for providing financial assistance (Samman Rashi) to 60 living freedom fighters and the widows of 601 freedom fighters besides to their unmarried daughters. There were 661 freedom fighters from the state.

He said that the state government was also providing free medical facilities to freedom fighters and their widows for which a special provision had been made in budgetary allocation of health department.
Besides, they were being provided free travelling facilities in HRTC buses and two percent reservation was being provided to their wards in government jobs.
The chief minister also honoured freedom fighters on the occasion.