CM faces tough question on Emergency detenus

Can a Chief Minister sanction a special pension scheme of which he or she will be a beneficiary?

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is confronted with this question as he tries to address the long-pending demand of Emergency detenus for recognition as political prisoners and monthly pension.

The Emergency detenus have been seeking pension citing the orders issued long ago by the Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh governments recognising Emergency detenus as political prisoners.

And Mr. Vijayan is one of them, one of many who bore the brunt of Emergency.

The issue was brought home to Mr. Vijayan by litterateur B. Rajeevan, who led a delegation that called on him here seeking pension for Emergency detenus.

Victim himself

“You are yourself a victim of the horrors of Emergency. You should not hesitate to accept the demands of the Emergency detenus,” Mr. Rajeevan told the Chief Minister.

CPI(ML) Red Flag State secretary P.C. Unnichekkan and emergency detenu and political commentator Bhasurendra Babu, who led the delegation, handed over to the Chief Minister copies of orders issued by various State governments recognising Emergency detenus as political prisoners.

Assurance given

The Chief Minister assured them that the government would consider the demands mentioned in their memorandum favourably.