Freedom fighters will benefit following PM’s announcement

New Delhi, Aug 16 (PTI) Around 37,000 freedom fightersand their dependents across the country will benefit followingPrime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of hike in theiremoluments. The freedom fighters are currently getting Rs 25,000 permonth as pension and with the hike of 20 per cent in thepension, the amount would be Rs 30,000 per month. A Home Ministry official said the freedom fighters andtheir dependents are expected to get a 4-6 per cent hike everyyear on their Dearness Allowance. At the last count, there were around 37,000 freedomfighters and their dependents in the country who regularly getpension from the central government, the official said. Addressing the nation on the 70th Independence Day fromthe Red Fort yesterday, the Prime Minister had announced a 20per cent hike in the pension for freedom fighters and saidmuseums would be built in several states to glorify the roleof "lesser-known" people from tribal communities whocontributed to the freedom struggle. PTI ACBRG