Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
During Twentyfifth Anniversary (Silver Jubilee Year) of Independence, a Central Scheme for the grant of pension to freedom fighters and their families from Central Revenues was introduced by the Government of India. The Scheme commenced from 15th August, 1972 and provided for the grant of pension to living freedom fighters and their families, if they are no more alive; and to the families of martyrs. The minimum quantum of pension sanctioned to a freedom fighter be Rs. 200/- p.m. and in case of families varied from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 200/- in accordance with the size and number of eligible dependents in the family. Till 31st July, 1980 the Freedom Fighters' pension was admissible only to those who were in need of financial assistance on account of their meagre annual gross income. Thus an annual income ceiling of Rs. 5000 was enforced for eligibility to pension. From 1-8-1980, the benefit of the Pension Scheme has been extended to all freedom fighters as a token of SAMMAN to them.