Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a monthly pension of Rs 20,000 and medical benefits for activists imprisoned during the Emergency, from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977. The formal notification was issued on Monday by Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Government of Odisha Satyabrat Sahu.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, On January 2, had declared the provision of monthly pension for those arrested and imprisoned during the Emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), Defence of India Act (DIR), and Defence and Internal Security of India Rules (DISIR).
Along with pension, the state government will bear the medical expenses of all the people jailed during the Emergency. Pension and medical facilities will be available to all people still alive as of January 1, 2025, the Government of Odisha notification, stated.
Hundreds were imprisoned in various jails across the country for opposing the Emergency between June 25, 1975 and March 21, 1977, it added.
"The pension will be sanctioned in favour of the living persons (those who are alive as of January 1, 2025) irrespective of the period of detention in jail," the notification read, adding that they can also avail of free medical treatment in accordance with the provisions of health & family welfare department.
Eligibility and Process
The notification outlines a detailed application process for eligible activists:
• Applications must be submitted to the concerned District Magistrate along with affidavits, Aadhaar, bank details, and information of three known co-prisoners.
• A committee led by the District Magistrate and SP will verify the applications.
• Verified lists will then be forwarded to a State Committee comprising officials like the Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Law Secretary, and others for final approval.
The benefits will be effective from January 1, 2025, and no benefits will be provided for any period before that date, it added.
Earlier, the Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments had also declared honorarium/pension for the prisoners of Emergency.
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