Bhubaneswar, Jan 2 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced that the pension of freedom fighters would be doubled.

The CM also announced that those who were arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the emergency period will now be eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 20,000.

Also Read | Unnao Boat Capsizes Over Reels Craze: Teenager Dies, 6 Others Rescued As Boat Flips in Lake While Making Social Media Reels In Uttar Pradesh.

Majhi made the announcements while addressing a function held on the occasion of the All India Freedom Fighters Day.

"Acknowledging freedom fighters role in India's struggle for independence, the state government will enhance their pension amount. The freedom fighters who were imprisoned will get an increased pension of Rs 20,000 from earlier Rs 10,000 a month," he said.

Also Read | What Is INR 450 Crore Chit Fund Scam, Probe in Which Brought Shubman Gill and 3 Other Gujarat Titans Players Under Scanner?.

Freedom fighters who actively participated in the Independence struggle, but were not imprisoned, would now get Rs 15,000 instead of Rs 9,000 a month.

Majhi said those who were arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the 21-month Emergency period will now be eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 20,000.

Describing the Emergency as the "darkest period" of Independent India, Majhi said several people were arrested while fighting for re-establishment of democracy.

"This was also called the second struggle for Independence and the pension amount is a step to honour their efforts," the chief minister said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)