Overstay to cost freedom fighters more

Freedom fighters enjoying cheap accommodation in a government facility during a visit to the national capital have reasons to worry.

The Union Home Ministry has warned them that staying beyond the stipulated time in Freedom Fighters House on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, which leads to Connaught Place, may result in “complete stoppage” of pension or recovery from the  pension amount.

The ministry has come up with fresh guidelines for admission to the facility where accommodation at cheap rates is available for the freedom fighters. 

The new guidelines come due to “certain incidents and instances of continuous long stay by certain freedom fighters”, when it was felt that there is a necessity to have certain condition for admission at the facility.

 The Home Ministry, however, refused to elaborate on “certain incidents” that led to the fresh directions.

Officials said overstay is causing problems as they are not able to accommodate others who reach Delhi for various purposes.  Freedom fighters eligible for the “Central Samman Pension”, their spouses and daughters who are getting the pension, are eligible to stay in the Freedom Fighters House. 

However, from now on, “no permanent or long stay” will be allowed. It said the freedom fighters could stay for a maximum of 15 days at a stretch for free while for a medical visit, they can stay up to 30 days, after which they will be charged at a higher rate.