Leader of Opposition (LoP) Pradipta Kumar Naik on Friday demanded in the State Assembly that the State Government respect the leaders. who were arrested under the Maintenance of
Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency period, as freedom strugglers by providing a good sum of pension to them.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Naik said as many as 11 States, including Odisha, have agreed to provide pension to the leaders arrested under the MISA. It is disappointing that the Odisha Government has decided to include them under the Madhubabu Pension Yojana.
Naik told the House that the Home Department of the State has written to the Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Home seeking a list of MISA-arrested leaders.
The Home Department has also intimated that the leaders would be included under the Madhubabu Pension yojana.
“While other States are providing pensions ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 to such leaders, the Odisha Government has decided to give them Rs 500 per month. Is it respect or disrespect,” wanted to know Naik.
Mentioning that former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and present Andhra Pradesh Governor were arrested under MISA, Naik said how the Government thinks to provide pension to them under the Madhubabu Pension yojana.
To this, BJD Member Amar Prasad Satpathy said the State Government has started efforts to provide pension to the leaders arrested under the MISA and the scheme has not been finalised.
He urged the Government not to include them under the Madhubabu Pension Yojana.