NEW DELHI: Around 37,000 freedom fighters and their dependents across the country will benefit following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of hike in their emoluments.
The freedom fighters are currently getting Rs 25,000 per month as pension and with the hike of 20 per cent in the pension, the amount would be Rs 30,000 per month.
A Home Ministry official said the freedom fighters and their dependents are expected to get a 4-6 per cent hike every year on their Dearness Allowance.
At the last count, there were around 37,000 freedom fighters and their dependents in the country who regularly get pension from the central government, the official said.
Addressing the nation on the 70th Independence Day from the Red Fort yesterday, the Prime Minister had announced a 20 per cent hike in the pension for freedom fighters and said museums would be built in several states to glorify the role of "lesser-known" people from tribal communities who contributed to the freedom struggle. PTI