Honorarium for freedom fighetrs, family pensions not disbursed

BENGALURU: The state government has withheld the honorarium and monthly pension of freedom fighters’ families. Now, questions are being raised whether the government has funds or if it is facing a financial crisis to pay the monthly pension to freedom fighters due to free guarantee schemes.

Despite claiming that the state’s treasury is full and there is no shortage of funds, the government seems to not have enough money to release the honorarium to freedom fighters for months. Approximately Rs 4 crore is pending towards the honorarium to freedom fighters.

In 29 out of 31 districts, the government has withheld the freedom fighters’ honorarium. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah provided this information in response to a question by Congress member Madhu G Madegowda in the Legislative Council regarding the pending payment.

There are 150 living freedom fighters in the state who receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000. The government also sanctioned Rs 4,000 for the funeral expenses of freedom fighters. However, the government has withheld Rs 4,85,72,498 towards monthly pensions to freedom fighters in 29 districts.

The major districts with pending monthly pension are: Belagavi Rs 83,34,000, Bengaluru Urban Rs 59,02,000, Dharwad Rs 76,33,124, Haveri Rs 29,99,000, Shivamogga Rs 39,30,000, Tumakuru Rs 36,40,000, Chitradurga 18,14,333, Kolar Rs 14,50,000, Uttara Kannada Rs 17,12,546, Mandya Rs 19,70,000, Mysuru Rs 12,00,000, and Bidar Rs 17,17,400.