The recent news is all about the Indian Government’s approval to extend the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY), a beneficial pension and financial aid program designed for veteran freedom fighters and their eligible dependents. The decision extends this policy through 2025-26. This move brings to light the vital details about this particular scheme and its historical background.
The Origin of the Scheme and its Evolution
It was in 1969 that the Government of India first introduced the Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners Pension Scheme. This initiative was created as a gesture of honor towards those dedicated freedom fighters who faced imprisonment in the Cellular Jail located at Port Blair.
A few years later, in 1972, the 25th Anniversary of India’s Independence spurred the launch of a new regular pension grant scheme for these intrepid individuals. The 1980s saw further innovation with the inception of the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, which was a more inclusive version of its predecessors.
This program continued to evolve, undergoing a name change in 2017-18 to become the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana. Additionally, since 2016, the scheme’s beneficiaries have received a revised pension amount along with Dearness Relief.
Exploring the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)
This pension scheme’s primary goal is to provide a monthly Samman Pension to the country’s freedom fighters, acknowledging their brave contributions during the struggle for India’s independence.
Upon the death of these veterans, the plan outlines a process to provide financial support for their eligible dependents. These include spouses, dependent parents, and unmarried and unemployed daughters. Eligibility norms and procedure decide the inclusion of these individuals into the scheme.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Freedom Fighters Division bears the responsibility of managing and implementing the SSSY program. As per the latest data, approximately 23,566 beneficiaries across India are included under this beneficial scheme.
The government’s decision to extend the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana reflects its ongoing commitment towards honouring the sacrifices made by freedom fighters in the independence movement. These brave individuals have paved the way for the India we know today, and the SSSY serves as a small token of gratitude to them and their families.
Sources: PIB
