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Title: Problems being faced by the freedom fighters in the Country.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN (KASARGOD): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I would like to place before the House some important issues concerning the freedom fighters in our country. Sir, a good number of freedom fighters who received … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nobody will stay here till this time. I am doing it every day.
SHRI K. FRANCIS GEORGE : Sir, we are all grateful to you for your kind gesture.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I am remaining here everyday for this purpose.
Now, Shri P. Karunakaran.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN : Sir, a good number of freedom fighters who received the State pension are denied the Central pension without valid reasons.[R65]
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The Central Government and the State Governments have identified the Freedom Fighters years back. Various State Governments have formed the Monitoring Committees at the State and District levels. It is with the recommendations of these Committees that the State Governments decide the deserving persons in granting pension. But the Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the Central pension only to a few persons. There is no justification for denial of the Central pension to the deserving persons. The well-known Anti-Imperialist Struggles such as Kayyur, Karivallur, Munayamkunnu, Punnapra, Yayalar etc., in Kerala; Thebagha Telengana in Andhra Pradesh, the struggles in Goa and various other States are all parts of the Freedom Struggle. The total number of Freedom Fighters is less. Many of them are old and on sickbed. But it is very unfortunate that even after 60 years of the Independence, the UPA Government is not ready to take up this issue.
I would request them, at least, to do justice with the Freedom Fighters, who sacrificed their lives for this noble cause of our Freedom Struggle..
MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, Shri Kharventhan…
SHRI K. FRANCIS GEORGE : Sir, I would also like to associate myself on this issued raised by Shri Karunakaran.
SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN (TRICHUR): Sir, my name may also be associated with what Shri Karunakaran has said… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Now, all will stand up without giving any notice saying: “I associate, I associate.”!
… (Interruptions)
SHRI K. FRANCIS GEORGE : Sir, it is an issue of national importance… (Interruptions)
MR CHAIRMAN: Now, I can record that all people who are here are associating without giving notice.
… (Interruptions)