THANJAVUR: Come Independence Day, it is time and customary to honour freedom fighters in the districts at the I-day celebrations. Wearing khadi dress and sporting Gandhi cap, these respectable citizens will be presented shawls. People can here slogan shouting in praise of our nation and freedom struggle out of their natural patriotic spirit when they were honoured.
As per statistics available with the district administration here, in Thanjavur district, 15 freedom fighters are taking direct pension from state government i.e. Rs 13,000 per month. Out of them eight are from Thanjavur, one from Orathanadu, four from Kumbakonam and two from Pattukottai.
Family pension of Rs 6,500 per month (state government) is given to four families in Papanasam taluk, 41 in Kumbakonam, 43 in Orathanadu, one in Thiruvaiyaru, five in Thiruvidaimaruthur, 67 in Thanjavur and 142 in Pattukottai.
Manickam (80) of Burma colony, a freedom fighter getting state government pension told DC hat he served in INA. He is now getting state government pension. Asked why he has not applied for Central government pension which is double than the State government pension, he said that he tried it through an association for those who served in INA but in vain. Asked why he should not apply now, he said “already I am old. What I am going to do with that money”. My sons are employed, he said.
Most of the INA members are settled in Burma colony in Thanjavur. Some of them have died. Their spouses are getting State government pension.
