This collection of documents, spanning from 1974 to 1980, chronicles the protracted effort to secure a Freedom Fighters’ Pension for Smt. Depali Rani Bhowmick, the widow of Naresh Chandra Bhowmick.
The file includes several key pieces of correspondence:
- An initial letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1974, threatening to close the pension case due to a lack of evidence.
- Personal certificates from Members of Parliament, including Chitta Basu and Dwijendralal Sen Gupta, attesting to Naresh Bhowmick’s participation in the Quit India movement and his subsequent imprisonment in Dum Dum Central Jail (1942-43).
- Numerous follow-up letters from MP Chitta Basu to various officials, urging them to take action and highlighting the “extreme distress” of the applicant.
- Responses from the central government indicating that the process was stalled while awaiting a verification report from the Government of Assam.
These documents provide a compelling look at the bureaucratic challenges faced by the families of freedom fighters in seeking the recognition and support they were due.
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Chitta Basu MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (LOK SABHA) सत्यमेव जगनै 128, North Avenue, New Dolhi, Dt.28-8-80. Dear Shri Sarin, I send herewith a copy of letter I received from the Under Secretary to the Govt. of India, Min, of Home Affairs in connection with grant of pension to Snt. Deepali Rani Bhowmik, W/o Late Shri N.C. Bhowmik, Cachar Dt., Assam, under Grant of Freedom Fighters Pension Scheme. I personally know the applicant, who is ix in extreme distress. I would, therefore, request you to kindly get the matter examined properly and take necessary action. With best regards, Encl: As above. Shri H.C. Sarin, Principal Adviser to the Governor of Assam, Gauhati Yours sincerely, 1 (Chitta Basu) Copy to Sont. Deepa Ram Bhowmik "Sen Gupla MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (RAJYA SABHA) 14, Girish Bose Rd Calcutte-14 5.5.75 This is to certify that Late Narish Bhowmic of Silchas Assam, was personally known to me as a freedom fighter. He Joined the grint India movement of 1942, and was in the sum A و Lum Cenbaljail from 1942 to 1943 on being arrested in Calcutte. His widow simt Drpali" Bhowmic has applied for freedom fighter's pension. I Strongly recommend her Case for favourable Considsation Dwijendralal Sen Gupta SANTI SENA PARISHAD (Founded by-Late Purna Chandra Das) B-73. College Street Market, Calcutta-12 President Sri. Panchanan Chakravartty Gen, Secy, Sri. Nalini Guha This to Écar, Aparsh, 18.6.74 Dated. তোমার পত্র পেয়ে wortifpeak জোগার করতে চালকদিন দেরী হয়। Swigan Sun 10, FOOD-20 fuis artifatale sদশ আর আমি ও-163th ও দিলাম। SAN Sun SrÑন যে তাহার ✓ মহিতার নাম ভারাশংকারেস্ত ও সম্মুমেন মনুমদার, নাকি বিশেষ মাহান), কে কানে: করবে। আশা চান ভ্রশনেট মাছ। no স্বতি ও শুভেদা জাol 123 If hitta Basu Ex MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (RAJYA SABHA) P.O. Barasat, 24 Parganas West Bengal. 1.5.75. This is to artify that Novech Bhowmik per I lat Adhar Chandra Bhowmik of Silchar, Cachar, Assam. sence long. was known to me He formed the freedom mivenpest of the country and was arrested during the Qiul India merement, the wus kepto in u Jeum Deum cential fail in 1942-43. He died of Cancer in the jear 1967. His wife Sia Depali Moromikis srour in extime distrass. As the infe of a deceased political sufferer, she is entitled to get the persi pos benifit of political pension. Her application for the same deserves careful consistor and sympaltretie consideration. Cevilla Baей Chitta Basu MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (LOK SABHA) To सतामेव अपने 128, North Avenue, New Delhi, Dt.12-8-80. The Under Secretary to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Freedom Fighters Division, Lok Nayak Bhavan, New Delhi. Dear Sir, I received a letter from Sint. Deepali Rani Bhowmick, w/o Late Naresh Ch. Bhowmick of Ratha Madhava Park Road, Silchar, Assam, stating that she applied for grant of freedom fighters pension on 13-5-1972. She was advised to produce the necessary certificates. It is learnt that she produced certificate from S/Shri Dwijendra Lal Sen Gupta, Samar Gaha, Mahitosh Purkyasth and Nurul Huda, all ex-M.Ps, on the 22-5-1975. She further stated that she has lost all the copies. She could give the reference number of the case, which is 13/1053/72-FF IX dated 22.2.74. I personally knew her husband, late N.C. Bhowmick who was a freedom fighter. Smt. Bhowmick is in distress. I would, therefore, request you to kindly look into the case and take appropriate action. An early reply will be highly appreciated. Leapy to: Ent: Yours faithfully, sd/- (Chitta Basu) to: Ent: Deepali Rani Bhowmick. No. 13/1053/72FF EZ-II Government of India/Bharat Sarkar Ministry of Home Affairs/Griha Mantralaya .... New Delhi...3 the To 24 DEC The Principal Private Secretary to the Chief Minister of Assam, Diepur. Sub:- Grant of pension to the freedom fighter from Centrale Revenues case of :- Depali Rani Bhownik #d/o Shri Naresh Chandra Bhowmik c/o Sura Bala Bhowmik Radha Madhab Park Road PO Silchar -788001 Distt Cachar Ass Sir, I am directed to refer to this Ministry Is letter of even number dated 20.8.1975 on the subject mentioned above k She and its subsequent D.0. reminder dated 23.8.1980 addressed Pheo G.C. Khopond, Secretary to the Chief Minister and to say that the State Government have not yet furnished its report as called for in the above lett rs. It is therefore, requested that this case may please be examined and your recommendation may be ex-pedited so that a decision could be arrived at in this Minister for sanction or otherwise of the pension. 2. It may also be kept in mind that the Lady may not suffer any more on account of financial distress after the death of her husband. Yours faithfully, (P.S. Bhandari) Under Secretary to the Govt. of India 2.4 DEC Copy forwarded for information to: 1. Smt. Depali Ram Bhowmik Wd/e Sh Naresh Chandra Bhowaik c/o Sura Bala Bhowmik, Radha Madhab Road PO Silichar 788001 Distt Cachar Assau. This refers to her letter dt. 6.8.1980. She is informed tin the state Govt's report called for is still awaited in her case Further actions will be takne on receipt of the same and she may correspond in this regard direct to the state govt con cadmo if she desires so. Hmawon (P.S. Bhandari) for AY Under Secretary ary to the Govt. of India. To 120.13/1053/72-98R.. Coverment of Ministry of Home Affairs. (Urih Mantralaya) ......... 22 FEB 1974 New Delhi-110001, dated t Shit. Depali Rani Bhowmik w/o fate Naresh chauds a shohomek Bilpar, Rathama chake fark Road, Silchar -1, Distt: Cachar, Assam. Subject:- Closure of pension case-for want of evidence. 1974. Reference: Gur lettor No, your application dated 5-5-1972 SH/Madam, Your I au directed to refer to this Ministryis above a mentioned letter in connection with your application for grant of pension under Freedom Fighters Pension Scheme, 1972 an to say that no reply has been received/the information furnished by you in your letter pabudathlicatis inadequate It appears that the requisite information/evinence is available with you... In the circunstances your application has been filed. 2. If the requisite information not received by the 31st March, 1974, your application will be rejected. Yours faithfully aranlawar UNDER SECRETDRY TO THE GOVER NEM OF INDIA.