Sunday, August 14 2005 14:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In an Independence Day gift to freedom fighters, Government today (Aug 14, 2005) announced that they will get enhanced pension from tomorrow (Aug 15, 2005).

Ex-Andaman political prisoners will now get a total of Rs 7,500 as against Rs 5,760 drawn by them at present, a Home Ministry spokesman said.

Freedom fighters, who suffered outside the British India, will get Rs 6,750 as against Rs 5,040, he said.

Other freedom fighters, including those from Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army will get a total of Rs 6,000. They are at present drawing Rs 4,320.

The spokesman said Government took the decision of increasing freedom fighters' pension as it felt that the amount payable at present was not commensurate with the hardships suffered by them.

The basic dependent family pension of spouses of deceased freedom fighters will also go up by Rs 1,000 per month from tomorrow.

Due to the hike, the annual additional outgo is estimated to be Rs 134 crore, the spokesman said, adding pension would continue to be linked with the price index for subsequent years.