Maharashtra Boosts Emergency-Era Honorarium

The Maharashtra cabinet has approved doubling the honorarium for those jailed during the Emergency period. The scheme now includes spouses as beneficiaries, while the monthly pensions will increase significantly. Initiated during Fadnavis's earlier tenure, the plan paused in 2020 but resumed in 2022.

In a significant policy decision, the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday sanctioned an increase in the honorarium for individuals detained during the Emergency period, doubling the financial aid currently provided.

The revised plan will also extend benefits to the spouses of those previously jailed, enhancing the scope of the 'Gaurav Yojana.' Monthly pensions, previously Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000, will see a twofold rise, providing substantial relief to the eligible beneficiaries.

Originally launched during Chief Minister Fadnavis's first tenure, the scheme mandates submissions through district collectorates. While the initiative was halted by the previous administration in 2020, it was reinstated by the Shinde-Fadnavis government in 2022, marking a commitment to supporting those affected by past political upheavals.

(With inputs from agencies.)