Maharashtra Freedom Fighters Federation organised a book release function where they discussed their issues and demands with the press.
On the occasion of Kranti Din on August 9, the Maharashtra Pradesh Swatantrya Sainik Mahasangh (Maharashtra Freedom Fighters Federation) organised a book release function where they discussed their issues and demands with the press.
PD Gupte, president of the federation said, “We freedom fighters are facing a lot of problems and we have put forth our demands many times and have held several meetings with the government but in vain.”
Explaining the issues he said, “Those who were imprisoned for more than six months get a pension of Rs14,100 from the central government and those who faced imprisonment for less than six months get Rs8,000 from the state government. The issue is that those who are paid more get all the medical facilities under the central government health scheme (CGHS), whereas those who faced imprisonment for less than six months, are not included. We have demanded medical facilities for these freedom fighters as well.”
He added, “Freedom fighters get railway pass and can travel in AC class, but we have to get it renewed every year, which is troublesome. Also, it has been noticed that most of us have to travel to Pune or Nagpur to avail certain medical facilities made by CGHS.”
“We even met Congress chief, Sonia Gandhi, on August 9, 2004, where we presented our demands and she promised to look into it. So far nothing has been done. Later, we met president Pratibha Patil on December 16, 2007. She too listened to our problems, but has done nothing so far. We even met (then chief minister) Ashok Chavan in February 2010, and Prithviraj Chavan, state chief minister, this year in February, but that too in vain.”
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