Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has initiated a program to honor the individuals who played pivotal roles in Odisha’s independence and subsequent democratic movements. As part of this initiative, the Chief Minister has significantly increased allowances for freedom fighters and introduced pensions for activists detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency.
In a recent move, Chief Minister Shri Majhi approved the provision of pensions to 23 MISA prisoners (19 MISA and 4 DISIR detainees). This follows an earlier approval of pensions for 21 MISA prisoners, bringing the total number of eligible recipients to 44.
These activists will now receive a monthly pension of Rs. 20,000, and all their medical expenses will be borne by the state government.
The decision acknowledges the sacrifices made by these individuals who were imprisoned in various jails across the country for protesting against the Emergency, which lasted from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977. Many activists were arrested under laws such as MISA, Defence of India Rules (DIR), and Defence and Internal Security of India Rules (DISIR).
The state government has declared that all surviving activists, as of January 1, 2025, will be eligible for these pensions and medical benefits. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to recognizing and honoring the contributions of those who fought for democracy and freedom in Odisha. Sources and related content