Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)

Context

The Centre has approved an allocation of ?3,274.87 crore for the continuation of the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY).

What is Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana(SSSY)?

• This is a Central Scheme for the grant of pension to freedom fighters and their families from the Central Revenues.
• Under this scheme, freedom fighters, and their dependents are given financial benefits and pensions.
• Under this scheme, 23,566 beneficiaries are covered across the country.
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Freedom Fighters Division).
• It was introduced by the Government of India.
• The Scheme provides for the grant of pension to living freedom fighters and their families, if they are no longer alive, and to the families of martyrs.
• The scheme provides for a monthly Samman Pension to freedom fighters, as a token of respect for their contribution in the national freedom struggle and on their demise, to their eligible dependents viz. spouses and thereafter, unmarried and unemployed daughters and dependent parents, as per prescribed eligibility norms and procedure.

Background of the Scheme

• In 1969, the Government of India introduced the ‘Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners Pension Scheme to honour the freedom fighters who had been incarcerated in the Cellular Jail at Port Blair. 
• In 1972, to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Independence, a regular scheme for grant of freedom fighters’ pension was introduced. 
• Thereafter, in 1980, a scheme by the name ‘Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme was implemented.
• In 2017, when the 12th Five Year Plan ended, the NDA government approved the continuation of the scheme after renaming it as Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) up to 2020.
• The amount of pension has been revised from time to time and Dearness Relief has also been given since 2016.