The State Government has no information as regards the freedom fighters of Odisha district-wise who attained martyrdom during the Quit India Movement that started on August 9, 1942.
Culture Minister Ashok Panda skipped a question on this by BJP Member Dilip Ray in the State Assembly on Saturday. On the contrary, Panda said the information can be given by the Information and Public Relations Department.
Minister Panda also skipped a question programmes organised by the State Government to celebrate the 75th death anniversary of martyr laxman Nayak who was hanged for revolting against the British Government.
While the 75th year of the Quit India Movement was organised with lots of fanfare across the country with a year-long programme for it, Ray wanted to know what the Odisha Government did and what was its budget allocation. He also sought information on district- wise freedom fighters who laid down their life while taking part in the fight against the Britishers and what steps the State Government was taking to keep them in public memory, especially among the youths.
Minister Panda told that the State Government held a programme at the State Archives in Bhubaneswar on August 9 in 2016 where a photo exhibition was organised on the State’s freedom fighters, including laxman Nayak, apart from a seminar on the Quit India Movement. On August 9, 2017, the 75th anniversary of the freedom movement, a series of programmes, including a seminar, a book release and an exhibition, were held, besides screening of documentary and felicitation of three freedom fighters in Bhubaneswar.
Panda informed that for the 75th year of the Quit India Movement and the 200 years of the Paika Mutiny, the Government made a budget of Rs 1.60 crore and disbursed Rs 1.4crore to various organisations and persons.