Himachal Pradesh Government Expands Freedom Fighter Benefits
The Himachal Pradesh government has taken a significant step to extend welfare benefits to a broader group of freedom fighters' descendants. On Monday, the state issued a notification that formally includes married daughters and granddaughters of freedom fighters as eligible beneficiaries under the Himachal Pradesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Fund.
Supreme Court Ruling Drives Change
This amendment comes directly in response to a Supreme Court judgment from February 28, 2024. The court dismissed a special leave petition filed by the state government against a high court decision. That earlier case involved Neelam Kumari, a married granddaughter of a freedom fighter employed with the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board.
Neelam Kumari initially won her case in the Himachal Pradesh High Court back in 2016. She sought recognition under the freedom fighter category for reservation benefits. The state government challenged this decision in the Supreme Court, but the court upheld the high court's ruling earlier this year.
Revised Definition of Dependents
The notification, issued by the General Administration Department, revises the definition of "dependents" under the scheme. Previously, benefits primarily flowed to sons' lineages. Now, the definition explicitly includes married daughters, granddaughters, and both married and unmarried grandsons and granddaughters from daughters' sides.
Officials state this change brings parity between the wards of sons and daughters of freedom fighters. The amendment ensures compliance with the Supreme Court ruling and eliminates discrimination in eligibility criteria. More than 150 dependents of freedom fighters in Himachal Pradesh stand to benefit from this expansion.
Immediate Implementation
The notification takes immediate effect after receiving approval from the Himachal Pradesh Governor. Eligible beneficiaries from daughters' lineages can now avail themselves of reservation and welfare benefits under the fund. The state government amended the original scheme, which was first notified on June 8, 1994, using powers conferred under the Charitable Endowments Act of 1890.
This decision marks a progressive move toward gender equality in recognizing the contributions of freedom fighters' families. It acknowledges that daughters and their descendants deserve equal access to state support and recognition for their ancestors' sacrifices.
