Date:28/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092859470700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Identify genuine freedom fighters’

SHRC tells panel to render justice at least to those alive

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission has directed the Central committee looking into the demand of pension of freedom fighters to expedite the process of enquiry to identify the ‘genuine’ freedom fighters at the ‘earliest’.

B. Subhashan Reddy, Chairman, while issuing orders on Saturday after hearing petitions filed on behalf of over 90 freedom fighters, asked the committee to ‘render justice at least to the remaining freedom fighters who are alive and waiting to get their due amounts of Central freedom fighter’s pension.’

He adjourned the hearing to November 29.

Mr. Justice Reddy directed that copies of the orders be sent to the Revenue Minister, the Principal Secretary (Revenue), the Union Minister concerned and the Secretary.

Panel blamed

He took a critical view of the functioning of the committee, pointing out that ‘the Commission had a strong feeling that the Central committee is not discharging its functions expeditiously.’

Mr. Justice Reddy regretted that the Central committee, which met here on Friday ‘leisurely’, was ‘not doing any effective work in rendering justice to the genuine freedom fighters’. He stated that the freedom fighters ‘are hoping against the hope and waiting for the past 28 years to get their freedom fighter’s pension.’