This Article is From Jan 11, 2017

Lalu Prasad Yadav To Get Monthly Pension Under Bihar's JP Senani Samman Scheme

Lalu Prasad Yadav To Get Monthly Pension Under Bihar's JP Senani Samman Scheme

Lalu Prasad Yadav was arrested in 1974 for taking part in Jayaprakash Narayan's social movement.

Patna: The Bihar government has approved RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's application, making the former Chief Minister eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 under the JP Senani Samman scheme, officials in the Home department said to news agency PTI. Under the scheme, all those sentenced to prison, during the Jayaprakash Narayan's total revolution movement, for a period of one month to six months would be eligible for a pension of Rs 5,000 per month whereas those jailed for more than six months would get a monthly allowance of Rs 10,000.

Mr Yadav was a student leader during the 'Sampoorna Kranti' movement and was subsequently jailed under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) in 1974.

The former Union Minister became eligible following a 2015 amendment to the scheme, which was introduced by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2009. Mr Kumar, who considers himself as a disciple of Jayaprakash Narayan, was himself jailed during the movement.

However, despite being eligible for the pension, Mr Kumar is not taking it, according to the officials.

According to PTI, the scheme benefits a total of 3,100 pensioners, including senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi.

Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD and Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) forged an alliance, 'mahagathbandhan', with the Congress ahead of the 2016 Bihar assembly elections to take on the BJP. While Mr Kumar continued as Chief Minister, Mr Yadav's RJD emerged as the single largest party in the legislative assembly.

(with inputs from PTI)
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