Continuing with its sops with an eye to Assembly polls in early 2017, the Punjab Government on Wednesday notified a policy to honour ‘Sangharshi Yoddhas’, who had undergone imprisonment during Emergency and participated in Punjabi Suba Morcha to safeguard the interests of the State. The policy has been made operational from December 8, 2015, said an official spokeperson.
Recognising the contribution of ‘Sangharshi Yoddhas’, who had undergone imprisonment, for Morcha (movement) against Emergency and Punjabi Suba to safeguard the interests of Punjab, the notification approved a slew of facilities for them keeping in view of their sacrifices.
The Punjabi Suba Morcha struggled for the creation of a Punjabi-majority subah (province) in the 1950s.
“The facilities included a financial assistance of `1000 per month to the yodha or his family,” said the spokesperson, adding that all ‘Sangharshi Yoddhas’ would be properly honoured with a ‘sanman patra’ (letter of honour).
Detailed instructions have been issued to all districts to constitute a high level committee in each district with Deputy Commissioner as chairman and Senior Superintendent of Police, Jail Superintendent, District Planning Board chairman and Zila Parishad chairman as members that would identify and finalise ‘Sangharshi Yoddhas’ in each district to provide the financial assistance and slew of facilities under the policy, he said.
Instructions have also been issued to all districts and heads of departments that whenever ‘Sangharshi Yodhas’ visit the Government offices, they may be properly entertained and their grievances be removed immediately, he said.
All districts and departments have also been directed for sending of formal invitation to the ‘Sangharshi Yodhas’ for the District level functions on Independence Day and Republic Day, he said.
Spokesperson said that all ‘Sangharshi Yoddhas’ and their spouses would also be entitled to travel free in any State Government undertaking buses.
Deputy Commissioners have also been directed to get the required proforma filled from the ‘Sangharshi Yoddhas’ and their families and get them scrutinised from the committee so that financial assistance could be paid to the participants at the earliest, he said.