Chief Minister MK Stalin today hoisted the national flag at Fort St George on the occasion of 75th Independence Day. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, ‘We achieved our Independence after innumerable sacrifices. Gandhiji made an extensive tour in Tamil Nadu in 1920, and has visited our State 20 times and also has learnt Tamil’. He recalled that he announced various schemes and constructed monuments in honour of freedom fighters.The CM announced hike in DA for govt employees and pensioners from 31 % to 34 %. He said 16 lakh persons will be benefitted out of the hike and State will incur an additional expenditure of Rs 1,947 cr. He further said, ‘Freedom fighters pension hiked to Rs 20,000 from Rs 18,000. Family pension will be hiked to Rs 10,000 from Rs 8000.