Ninety-year-old struggles to get freedom fighters pension

JABALPUR: The 90-year-old Ishwaridas Thakur, who had spent eight years (1941-49) in jail for taking part inthe `Quit India Movement', has moved High Court when his previous attempts to avail freedom fighters pension proved futile.

Thakur, a resident of Sagar district moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court for relief which on August 4 directed Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary and Collector Sagar to take a final decision on the issue within two months.

His two sons had died of malnutrition and he was unable to treat his wife who was suffering from a serious breathing problem as the the veteran freedom fighter who was a member of the Azad Hind Sena had no major source of income.

The then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi honoured him with a citation but was denied a freedom fighters pension despite amendment in the rules.

His second application in this regard is still awaiting a decision since 1980 forcing him to approach the High Court for getting relief.