Freedom fighters - Puratan Vs Navtan

Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee spent 16 years in prison for helping Ghadar Party's struggle against the British rule in India. To recognize this sacrifice, the chief minister of Punjab, Sardar Pratap Singh Kairon, once came to meet Bhai Sahib and requested him to apply for special benefits, including pension for freedom fighters. He even brought the application along with him but Bhai Sahib refused to even consider any worldly compensation for his sacrifices and tore the application in front of Kairon's eyes. Many other freedom fighters did just the same thing. Today I saw this news that some freedom fighters are asking the government not only rights for themselves but also for their children and grandchildren. It is understandable if they are seeking some benefits for themselves but to ask for benefits for children and grandchildren is pure greediness.

Kulbir Singh

Freedom fighters fight for rights
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 14
After struggling for years to get independence, freedom fighters today were seen fighting for their rights. The peaceful fight is against the State and Central government.

Interacting with the principal secretary of Freedom Fighters Department, Punjab Sarvesh Kaushal, over 50 freedom fighters and their kin appealed to the
government to provide them the benefits they are entitled to get.

The freedom fighters said they must be allowed to travel free of cost in deluxe buses. It is now the country's turn to recognise their efforts, they said. They should be allotted land or residential accommodation, besides the reservation quota for their children and grandchildren should be increased in medical and technical colleges, demanded the fighters. They said their children were given the benefits but now their grandchildren, too, must get the scholarships. They also said that they must be exempted from toll taxes.

Kin of some of the freedom fighters also complained that they were living a life in penury and that the state government must provide jobs to them. The freedom fighters said the shagun scheme for the grandchildren of freedom fighters to be increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 51,000. They must be given a patient hearing in all the government offices and their grievances be redressed on priority. They also demanded that the Deputy Commissioner must convene a meeting with them twice a year.



Government's proposals

The freedom fighters could contact the government representatives anytime on phone number 0172-2741346
They can write on their grievances at www.psff2012@gmail.com
Principal Secretary asked Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari to provide appropriate place to the freedom fighters for organising functions. Following this, Tiwari ensured that in Bachat Bhawan or in Circuit House they could hold functions once in every three months and that too free of cost.
Principal Secretary to visit each district to redress the grievances of freedom fighters.