Punjab Welfare of Freedom Fighters Minister Om Parkash Soni on Sunday said that the State Government is fully committed for the welfare of the freedom fighters — the real heroes of the India’s Independence struggle.
He said that under the guidance of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the State Government has waived off toll tax for freedom fighters.
“Freedom fighters are getting benefit on every toll plazas of the state and national highways in Punjab,” he said, adding the Government has issued identification cards to the freedom fighters regarding this waiving off.
Soni said that besides this, the Government has initiated many welfare schemes for the welfare of freedom fighters.
“They are getting 300 units of electricity for domestic connection free of cost. Apart from this, tube-well connections are being provided on out-of-the-turn basis to them. Five beds are reserved in Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh, for freedom fighters,” he said.
The Minister said that the freedom fighters, their widows and unmarried and unemployed daughters and their one attendant have been given the facility to travel in the State Government transport undertaking on free-of-cost basis.
“War heroes, who participated in the ‘morcha’ for the formation of Punjabi Suba and protested against emergency and imprisoned up to three months, are being provided financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month, who had been imprisoned for three to six months, are being given Rs 1,500 and those imprisoned for more than six months are being given Rs 2,000 per month,” the Minister said.