Maharashtra Cabinet doubles emergency honorarium and expands benefit to spouses

Nagpur: The Maharashtra government has doubled the monthly honorarium for individuals jailed during the Emergency period (1975–77). The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister
in Mumbai on Tuesday.
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The state cabinet also approved a series of amendments to the Emergency Honorarium Scheme, extending its benefits to the surviving spouses of eligible detainees.
Under the revised scheme, individuals who were imprisoned for more than one month during the Emergency will now receive ₹20,000 per month, while those jailed for less than a month will get ₹10,000. The surviving spouse of such detainees will receive ₹10,000 and ₹5,000, respectively — up from the earlier ₹5,000 and ₹2,500.
In a significant relief for families, spouses of detainees who passed away before January 2, 2018, are now eligible to apply for the honorarium by submitting an affidavit. They will have a 90-day window to apply once the government notification is issued.
The scheme, originally launched in 2018, aims to recognize the sacrifices of those arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and the Defence of India Rules (DIR) for their political and social resistance during the Emergency.
It has seen widespread uptake across districts such as Nagpur, Pune, and Buldhana.
With this decision, the government seeks to offer long-overdue recognition and financial support to both direct victims and their families.
As per a recent Government Resolution dated May 30, 2025, the state sanctioned ₹28.12 crore for disbursement under the scheme for the period April 2025 to January 2026. Nagpur was allocated ₹3.43 crore for 402 beneficiaries, ranking third in the state after Pune and Buldhana.
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The total budgetary provision for the scheme in 2025–26 stands at ₹55.50 crore, underscoring the government's commitment to honoring those who endured political imprisonment during one of India's darkest periods.
District collectors will be responsible for processing new applications and ensuring timely disbursement. The latest changes mark a significant shift in both scale and sensitivity, acknowledging the lasting impact of political repression on thousands of families across Maharashtra.

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