MUMBAI: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is contemplating scrapping the previous government’s decision to award pension to those who were imprisoned during the Emergency.
The Law and Judiciary Department has objected to the earlier government’s decision saying this is not feasible as the criteria for giving pension is not acceptable.
The scheme was implemented after an affidavit was submitted saying that they were in prison for opposing the Emergency, which was declared when the Congress was in power at the Centre.
Congress Minister Nitin Raut wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray requesting the scheme be scrapped.
“The scheme is misuse of government funds and should be stopped at the earliest. The decision was taken by the previous government to benefit members of a particular organisation. I have requested the Chief Minister to scrap the decision,” said Raut, hinting that the scheme was to benefit members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The previous Bharatiya Janata Party-led government had announced in June 2018 that it would provide a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 to those who were imprisoned during the Emergency. In case the person was dead, the spouse was to get Rs 5,000 per month and Rs 42 crore was earmarked for the scheme.
According to the officer from the Law and Judiciary Department, the earlier government sanctioned pension for 3,267 people and 1,200 applicants are in waiting. After implementation of the scheme, the government has distributed Rs 32 crores to the pensioners.
IN THE PAST
The previous Bharatiya Janata Party-led government had announced in June 2018 that it would provide a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 to those who were imprisoned during the Emergency. In case the person was dead, the spouse was to get Rs 5,000 per month and Rs 42 crore was earmarked for the scheme.
