JD(U) seeks allowance for those who fought against Emergency

BJP ally JD(U) today urged the central government to make provisions for a monthly allowance of Rs 15,000 to those jailed during the Emergency, saying many of them suffered a lot and their struggle was never recognised.
JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi said many states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh have constituted special funds to give them monthly allowances, with Maharashtra recently initiating a similar practice.
"It is time that the central government too recognise those who fought against the Emergency by giving them a tamra patra' besides a monthly allowance," Tyagi said.
He said he had also written to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before he presented the Union Budget, adding that he received a reply from the finance ministry that said it would act "appropriately" on the issue.

"I have received representation from many groups representing those who fought against the Emergency. Many of them never got any benefit even as they lost their livelihoods due to government action against them. It is good that the finance ministry has responded and we are hopeful," he said.
Tyagi said he had made a similar request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he assumed power in 2014 and noted that his government had many ministers who were jailed during the Emergency imposed by the then Indira Gandhi government in 1975.