Odisha Sanctions Pension for 23 More Emergency-Era Detainees

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved pension benefits for 23 additional political detainees who were imprisoned under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and other stringent laws during the Emergency period (1975–77). This move raises the total number of beneficiaries to 44, following an earlier decision to grant pensions to 21 such individuals.

The initiative is part of the state government’s broader effort to honour individuals who defended democratic values and upheld Odia identity during one of India’s most turbulent political periods. Under this programme, all 44 recognised individuals will now receive a monthly pension of Rs 20,000.

The newly approved list includes 19 detainees imprisoned under MISA and four under the Defence of India Rules (DIR) Act. In addition to the pension, beneficiaries will also be entitled to free medical treatment, as per the guidelines of the State Health and Family Welfare Department.

The Emergency, imposed between June 25, 1975, and March 21, 1977, saw widespread arrests of political opponents and activists under laws such as MISA, DIR, and DISIR. The Odisha government’s latest decision ensures that all surviving political detainees from that era, as of January 1, 2025, will be eligible for pension and healthcare support.

Earlier, on January 2, CM Majhi had announced a hike in pensions for freedom fighters, doubling the monthly amount from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000—part of the government’s renewed commitment to recognising historical contributions to democracy and civil liberties.