Bhubaneswar: On Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi sanctioned a proposal to grant pensions to 23 individuals who were detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and the Defense and Internal Security of India Rules (DISIR) during the Emergency period. Reports indicate that 19 individuals will receive pensions under MISA, while four will benefit from DISIR.

Previously, pensions had been approved for 21 MISA detainees. The Chief Minister has initiated the process of recognizing these individuals, leading to an increase in the pension amount. Each detainee will now receive a monthly pension of Rs 20,000, with the state government covering their medical expenses. Notably, many of these individuals were imprisoned for opposing the Emergency, having been arrested under various laws including MISA, the Defence of India Rules (DIR), and DISIR. It has been decided that all surviving freedom fighters will start receiving pensions and medical benefits from January 1, 2025.