Odisha Govt Approves Pension, Free Healthcare For Emergency Detainees

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday approved monthly pension and free healthcare for people detained in jails during the Emergency. 

Pension amount will be Rs 20,000 per month.

It will be provided to persons detained in jails in Odisha under MISA (The Maintenance of Internal Security Act, 1971) or DIR (The Defence of India Rules) or DISIR (The Defence and Internal Security of India Rules) from June 26, 1975, to March 21, 1977, according a notification issued by the Home Department.

“The pension will be sanctioned in favour of the living persons ( i.e. those who were alive as on January 1, 2025) irrespective of the period of detention in jail,” it said.

The release further state that they can avail of free medical treatment in accordance with the provisions of Health & Family Welfare Department. “These benefits will be provided for the period starting from January 1, 2025. No benefit shall be paid for the period prior to January 1, 2025,” it added.

Besides doubling pension of freedom fighter, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on January 2 announced that those who were arrested under MISA during the emergency period will be eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 20,000. “To honour the patriots who suffered imprisonment under the MISA Act, our government will provide pension, free healthcare, and free bus passes,” he said while terming the Emergency as one the dark periods of democrac.