The Center on Friday introduced significant changes to the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana, a scheme that provides pensions to freedom fighters and their eligible dependents.

According to the new changes, beneficiaries are now required to present their life certificate only once a year in November, against the old rule which required them to present the certificate twice a year above 80 years of age.

Following recent developments, if a retiree does not present their life certificate before the November deadline, their pension will be suspended. However, according to the new guidelines, beneficiaries who submit their certificate within three years will have their pension recovered as well as their arrears.

Pensions will only be canceled if the life certificate is not presented within three years, and any reactivation beyond this period will require new approval from the Ministry of Defense, according to the new rules mentioned.

After the death of the retired freedom fighter, his dependents, including his spouse and unmarried or unemployed daughter, will have one year to apply for pension transfers, compared to the shorter period in the past.

If an application is filed after one year, the bank concerned will forward the file to the Ministry of Defense for a final decision, according to the new rules.

Additionally, pensions for dependents will now be paid from the date of death of the original pensioner, instead of the date the application is filed.

The Defense Ministry also removed the clause that previously allowed husbands receiving a dependent’s pension to continue receiving it after they remarried.