West Bengal announces Rs 10,000 monthly pension for 325 Emergency-era prisoners

Kolkata: The West Bengal government has announced a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 for 325 people who were jailed during the Emergency, along with free travel on government buses and medical assistance.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made the announcement on Sunday while honouring Emergency-era prisoners with the ‘Paschimbanga Lokotantra Senani Samman’. He said their sacrifices in defending democracy should be remembered.

Each of the 325 beneficiaries identified by the government will receive Rs 10,000 a month and free travel on government buses. They will also be eligible for Rs 1,000 in medical assistance for treatment at government hospitals, Adhikari said.

If a beneficiary has died, the benefits will be extended to their spouse, he added.

Adhikari said the government was fulfilling its commitment within 90 days of taking office.

‘Nearly 5,000 people from Bengal were jailed’

Recalling the Emergency, imposed on June 25, 1975, Adhikari said nearly one lakh people were jailed across the country, including around 5,000 from West Bengal.

He said those imprisoned for opposing restrictions on democratic rights had played a significant role in protecting parliamentary democracy and voting rights.

“The brave soldiers had to endure a lot of suffering. The new state government stands on the ideals of these brave soldiers,” he said.

Adhikari also said the younger generation should be made aware of the events of the Emergency and the contributions of those who opposed it.

Committee to work on Mookerjee’s legacy

Adhikari also criticised the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments, alleging that they had undermined the contribution of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the importance of nationalism in Bengal’s history.

He said the state government would undertake initiatives to mark Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary and highlight his contribution to the younger generation.

A special committee headed by the chief secretary will be formed on August 13 to work on incorporating Mookerjee’s ideals and what Adhikari described as the “correct history” of the Partition of Bengal into school textbooks.

Adhikari also assured members of the Loktantra Senani Sangh, an organisation of political prisoners from the Emergency era, that the government would consider their constructive suggestions in the future.

The BJP-led government at the Centre observes June 25 as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ to commemorate the imposition of the Emergency in 1975. Several BJP-ruled states have also honoured people jailed during the Emergency with awards and pensions.