Fraud makes Govt scrap freedom pension

The Standing Committee was informed since the sub-committee formed in May, under Congress MP Hansraj Bharadwaj, wanted a wider debate on the subject. Bharadwaj told The Indian Express that keeping political implications in mind, he wanted the full Standing Committee of 45 MPs — chaired by Pranab Mukherjeee — to debate it.

“At a meeting held about a fortnight ago, MPs were unanimous that the scheme should not be discontinued,” said Bharadwaj. “If the Home Ministry wants to take the step they can do it without our concurrence. Why should even a few aged freedom fighters be deprived of pension at this late stage in life?”

Incidentally, Chipko leader Sunderlal Bahuguna has reportedly sent a request for being enlisted as a freedom fighter. Bahuguna has apparently stated that while all these years he did not avail of the pension, his financial state is such that he needs the money now.

The Ministry’s case is that few few genuine applications are coming in from freedom fighters and many are found to be fraudulent. According to the Ministry’s memorandum: “The long duration of the scheme has given rise to many malpractices such as submission of false/forged documents and concealment of materials.”

Official figures show that of the 13,547 applications processed during the year 1999-2000, pension could be granted only in 85 cases. In 69 cases, fraud was detected and pensions cancelled. Also, several freedom fighters covered under the pension scheme were also receiving pension from their respective state governments.

The Home Ministry informed the MPs that the first recommendation for closure came in December 1998 by the Joint Commiittee of Freedom Fighters and Officials. This proposal was examined by the present Government and it was decided that while the scheme would cease to exist, all persons getting pension would continue to do so and that all pending court cases would also be considered after its closure.

Former IPS officer Joginder Singh, who served a brief stint at the Home Ministry’s monitoring the scheme, welcomed the decision to scrap the scheme. He says he invalidated a large number of claims and discovered several forged documents, degrees and even court documents while processing pension cases. “By a conservative estimate at least 30% of the present pensioners can be declared as fraud, ” he says “Despite the adverse recommendation from MPs, the Home Ministry should shut down the scheme and put an end to its misuse.”