Naming of facilities after state agitation martyrs, increased monthly pension for those jailed or injured during the movement and better benefits for the dependents of those who died during the pro-Uttarakhand protests – on the eve of the foundation day, the state government announced assistance as the chief minister paid tribute to the martyrs at Shahid Stal in Dehradun.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the creation of Uttarakhand was not just a political decision but the result of sacrifice, struggle and perseverance of thousands of people. Recalling the painful incidents in Hatim, Mussoorie and Rampur Tirah during the movement that led to the loss of lives, he said these were immortal chapters in the state’s history.
Paying tribute to the martyrs who gave their lives for the cause, he said: “The pensions and other benefits granted to them were not just help but a token of the state’s gratitude.”
He further informed that infrastructure facilities in the native villages of the martyrs will be named after them. The monthly pension for those agitators who were jailed for seven days or injured during the Uttarakhand statehood movement will be increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000. The monthly pension of other categories of agitators, except convicts and victims, will be increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,500.
The pension for agitators disabled during the movement will be increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per month and a medical attendant will be provided to look after them and the pension for the dependents of the agitators who died will be increased by Rs 2,500.
He appealed to all residents of the country to light five lamps in their homes on Statehood Day in memory of the agitators. The state will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Sunday, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
