MISA detainees freedom fighters now

Bhopal, Feb 27: Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) detainees would now be treated as freedom fighters as Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to grant monthly pension of Rs 6,000 to 4000-odd persons, who were arrested during 1975 emergency.

Presenting the state's annual budget for 2008-09 in the election year, Finance Minister Raghavji announced the MISA detenus would be entitled for medical facilities at par with freedom fighters. Raghavji is a MISA detainee along with half of his cabinet colleagues who will receive honourarium. The Finance Minister said it was not a pension so that those entitled for it will continue to get in addition of their salaries or wages. Commercial tax minister Babulal Gaur says he remembered having 45-such colleagues.

Calling it as Loknayak Jai Prakash Samman Nidhi, Raghavji told media persons the scheme the scheme could cost over Rs two crore to the exchequer. Raghviji said he felt the strong need for honouring these freedom fighters adding. Those who had spent over six months in jail will get Rs 6,000 a month, while others who were detained for three to six months will get Rs 3,000 a month, he said. On the other hand, the freedom fighters get fix Rs 4,000 per month. Vice President of All India Freedom Fighters’ Association Aniruddha Prasad Shastri told that during Sunderlal Patwa regime, the freedom fighters were getting only Rs 400 a month, which was later increased by then Chief minister Digvijay Singh almost each year.