Maharashtra Cabinet Doubles Amount Of Honorarium For Emergency-Era Prisoners, Adds Spouses As Beneficiaries

Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Cabinet, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved a significant increase in the monthly remuneration for individuals who were imprisoned during the national Emergency declared between 1975, and 1977, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

As per the revised policy, individuals who were jailed for more than one month during the Emergency for participating in democratic protests will now receive Rs 20,000 per month, up from the previous amount. In case of the individual’s demise, their surviving spouse will receive Rs 10,000 per month as a pension.

Those who were imprisoned for less than a month will now receive Rs 10,000 monthly, while their spouses will be entitled to Rs 5,000 per month after their death. This decision marks an enhancement of the 2018 policy, under which the state began honoring Emergency-era detainees with monthly honorariums as a token of respect for their fight to uphold democracy.

To avail the benefits, eligible surviving spouses are required to apply afresh to the respective district collector. If the political prisoner passed away before January 2, 2018, the surviving spouse can also apply with a sworn affidavit. Applications under this provision must be submitted within 90 days from the date the government resolution is issued.

Additionally, the cabinet has removed the previous condition that required individuals to have been at least 18 years old at the time of arrest during the Emergency in order to qualify for the scheme.