NAMASTE, BAPUJI: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Manik Rao H. Gavit being greeted by freedom fighter Konda Laxman Bapuji at a function organised by Swami Ramananda Tirtha Memorial Committee in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

HYDERABAD: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Manik Rao H. Gavit on Tuesday expressed anguish that several freedom fighters were still running from pillar to post to get pension, which was introduced in 1972.

"All the freedom fighters eligible for pensions will get them," Mr Gavit said addressing a function organised by Swami Ramananda Tirtha Memorial Committee to felicitate veteran freedom fighter Konda Laxman Bapuji here. The State Government should also work towards this so that no freedom fighter was left out.

Committee

The Centre had recently constituted a high power committee comprising veteran freedom fighters to study the status of those, who had participated in the freedom struggle, and whether they were

getting the benefits accrued to them. The committee, of which Mr. Konda Laxman Bapuji is a member, would meet in New Delhi on April 25, he said.

Mr. Gavit said Centre was also looking into the petition from freedom fighters, who participated in the Hyderabad Liberation movement, seeking pensions. A committee of senior officials was reviewing the status of their applications.

Eligibility factor

Plans were afoot to provide free medical treatment to freedom fighters at the district and divisional headquarters by bringing in more hospitals under the Central Government Health Scheme.

APCC president K. Keshava Rao said the party's coordination committee would impress upon the Government to ensure that all the eligible freedom fighters were given pensions.

Veteran freedom fighter and TDP MLA Ch. Rajeswara Rao said more than 41,000 applications were received for pensions, of which 13,500 were found to be eligible. The Centre sanctioned only 3,500 pensions, he said and urged that the remaining should also get the same benefit. Mr. Bapuji recalled his participation in freedom struggle and thanked all those, who had recognised his service. Chairman of SRT memorial committee K.V. Keshavulu and Gandhi Bhavan Managing Trustee Paga Pulla Reddy also spoke.

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