Pension hiked for freedom fighters

[1]

Chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Wednesday announced an increase in the monthly pension of freedom fighters from to Rs 7,000 from Rs 5,000.

Announcing the hike in pension, Ms Jayalalithaa said, “Everybody should have freedom. But they should not exceed their limits.

The true freedom lies in maintaining the dignity and discipline.” The chief minister, who unfurled the national flag from the ramparts of the historic Fort St. George here as part of the 66th Independence Day celebrations, said her government has been striving to ensure that everyone gets this true freedom.

“The government of your dear sister is striving towards ensuring this type of freedom. One’s personal freedom should not be misused to affect others or create disturbance to public and whoever does this will be dealt with strictly according to law,” she said in her Independence Day speech to the people of the state.

Ms Jayalalithaa saluted the freedom fighters who fought for country’s Independence. Ms Jayalalithaa also announced that medical allowances for them would be hiked from Rs 100 to rs 500, and pension for their legal heirs from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500.

Kalpana Chawla Award: She presented Kalpana Chawla Award for bravery to Ms D. Rajalakshmi and her daughter D. Shivaranjani, of Cuddalore district for fighting robbers who attacked them in February this year. The award carries a purse of Rs 5 lakh.

The CM also presented the best corporation award to Coimbatore corporation, best municipality award to Pollachi municipality and best town panchayat award to Thenkarai town panchayat in Theni district, on the occasion. Ms. Jayalalithaa witnessed a spectacular march past of contingents.