HC awards pension to freedom fighter

After a prolonged battle with the state government, freedom fighter Revan Das Parmar will receive Rs 2,000 pension per month, thanks to the Gujarat High Court.

Parmar had been struggling for 14 years for pension under a state scheme for freedom fighters who were not imprisoned. Parmar had participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 and lost his left eye during the freedom struggle. For 11 years, he made numerous representations and trips to government offices but the state refused to recognise his claim.

Parmar approached the HC for relief in 2001. The court recognised his claim and ordered the government to clear his dues within nine months of the date of his pension application. The court also ordered the government to pay him Rs 2,000 as pension preferably within two months’ time from the receipt of the court order.