National   

Congress claims credit

Special Correspondent

Releases copy of letter Sonia wrote to Manmohan seeking raise

NEW DELHI : The Congress on Thursday claimed credit for the increase in the pension for freedom fighters, stating that party president Sonia Gandhi wrote a personal letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard.

The Congress had decided to celebrate and commemorate the centenary of the satyagraha, and, as part of the celebrations, Ms. Gandhi wrote to Dr. Singh on October 23 to enhance the pension and release a commemorative postal stamp.

"On the request of the Congress president, the Government has decided to raise the pension of freedom fighters. The Congress party thanks the Prime Minister for this gesture," party general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said in a release.

He said former political prisoners of the Andamans would get a monthly pension of Rs. 11,581 against Rs. 7,500. Those who suffered outside British India would get Rs. 10,790 a month against Rs. 6,450 given earlier and other freedom fighters, including those of the Indian National Army would get Rs. 10,000 a month against Rs. 6,000 a month.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Abdul Kalam for Hong Kong model to root out corruption
Pappu Yadav's bail plea dismissed
Haj subsidy for 10,000 more pilgrims
President asks media to be a partner in economic development
Angelina's guards push parents at location
Left rally protests against Saddam's death penalty
Bring CJI under judicial council: Verma
`Anti-terror mechanism a good beginning'
Amnesty only way out for traders, Advani tells PM
Congress claims credit
J&K cancels mega power project contract
Court on sacking contract employee
Trust criticises MIDS for "departure"
No relief for daily
Campaign: pass Forest Bill with JPC amendments
Kalam's concern

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu