Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana SSSY To Continue Up To 2020 | 3 things to know

Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) will continue till the year 2020. The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the bill through which the SSSY will continue till 2020.

What is Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)?

In 1969, the Indian Government has started the 'Ex-Andaman political Pensioners Pension Scheme' to honour the freedom fighters of India who were jailed by the British in the Cellular Jail at Port Blair. Another similar scheme named Freedom Fighter's Pension was introduced by the Government of India in the year 1972 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Independence. These two schemes were merged in the year 1980 and the new scheme was called as Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana or SSSY in short. Through the SSSY scheme, the Government of India is distributing pension for freedom fighters and to their eligible dependents.

How many freedom pensioners are covered under Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana?

As on 01 March 2018, total 37,356 freedom fighters and their eligible dependents are covered under Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana. Precisely the government is providing the pension for 12,657 freedom fighters, 23,127 dependent spouses, and 1527 daughters.

How much is the Swantra Sainik Samman Yojana SSSY pension amount?

Initially, 200 Rs was fixed as the monthly pension for the freedom fighters. This pension amount was revised time-to-time and currently the following amounts of pension being awarded by the Government of India to the freedom fighters and their dependents.

1. Pension amount for Ex-Andaman prisoners/ spouses: Rs. 30,000 /- along with Rs. 900/- as Dearness Relief is being distributed under SSSY scheme.
2. For freedom fighters who suffered outside British India, Rs. 28,840/- is being paid as monthly pension under Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana.
3. Rs. 26,780/- being paid as monthly pension for other freedom fighters including those who fought in INA.
4. 50% of the pension sum is being given to the dependent parents and 3 eligible daughters after the death of the Freedom Fighters.

Apart from the monthly pension to the freedom fighters, free Railway passes are also being provided under the Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana to all freedom fighters and their dependents.