Contribution of Many Martyrs and Freedom Fighters in the Marathwada Liberation War is Invaluable – Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar

Hingoli : Even after India gained independence, three regions—Kashmir, Junagadh, and Hyderabad—remained unintegrated, leaving the Indian Union incomplete. Under the leadership of Swami Ramanand Tirth, the Marathwada Liberation War began across the Hyderabad state. Numerous freedom fighters from villages in Marathwada participated heroically in this struggle. It was not merely a fight to merge territories but a fight for India’s territorial integrity. The Marathwada liberation struggle continued for 13 months, during which many freedom fighters sacrificed their lives. Finally, on 17th September 1948, Marathwada was freed from the Nizam’s rule and merged with the Indian Union. The contribution of the martyrs and freedom fighters in this struggle is invaluable, as highlighted by the State’s Minority Development and Auqaf, Marketing Minister, and Guardian Minister of Hingoli, Abdul Sattar.

On the occasion of the 76th anniversary of Marathwada Mukti Sangram Day, Mr. Sattar spoke during the main government flag-hoisting ceremony held at the Martyrs’ Memorial in Annasaheb Taklagavankar Park. Present at the ceremony were the families of senior freedom fighters, Mrs. Rukminibai Devkate and Mrs. Malti Paithankar; MLA Tanhaji Mutkule; former MLA Gajanan Ghuge; Collector Abhinav Goyal; District Superintendent of Police Shri Krishna Kokate; Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad, Mrs. Neha Bhosle; Additional Collector Khushal Singh Pardeshi; Additional Chief Executive Officer Anup Shengulwar; Additional Superintendent of Police Archana Patil; Project Director of District Rural Development System Namdev Kendra; Resident Deputy Collector Abhimanyu Bodhwad; and Deputy Collector of General Administration Department Anil Machevad.

Speaking on the occasion, Guardian Minister Shri Abdul Sattar stated that the 76th anniversary of Marathwada Liberation Day is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the region. Freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to liberate Marathwada from the Nizam’s dictatorship. Their contributions to protecting Marathi language, culture, religious freedom, and social and political rights should be remembered in golden letters. He also mentioned that the Maharashtra government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, is working gratefully to honor the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and the people of this region.

The state government is implementing several ambitious schemes, including the Chief Minister’s ‘My Beloved Sister’ scheme, Chief Minister Youth Work Training Scheme, 100% fee waiver for girls in education, Chief Minister Vyoshree Yojana, Chief Minister Annapurna Yojana, Chief Minister Tirtha Darshan Yojana, Balasaheb Thackeray Apa Dawakhana, and the Chief Minister Baliraja Free Electricity Discount Scheme to support the most vulnerable sections of society.

Shri Sattar mentioned that so far, 305,499 women have registered under the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in the district, out of which 298,118 have qualified. Through this scheme, 149,219 eligible women in Hingoli district have received two-month installments totaling Rs 44.76 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The disbursement process for the remaining beneficiaries is ongoing, and the enrollment for the scheme has been extended until the end of September.

Under the Chief Minister’s Youth Work Training Scheme, well-educated unemployed youth in the district will receive Rs 6,000, Rs 8,000, or Rs 10,000 depending on their work experience and educational qualifications while working for six months in government offices. So far, 1,859 youths have been given appointment orders, with 1,846 having already joined and started work. This initiative has brought joy to many educated but unemployed youth in the district.

As part of the country’s great cultural tradition, the state government has launched the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme to help senior citizens visit various religious sites across India. To ensure eligibility and avoid any inconveniences during the pilgrimage, the District Surgeon’s Office has conducted health check-up camps. At least 1,000 beneficiaries from the district will receive up to Rs 30,000 for their pilgrimage through this scheme.

The state government has decided to provide three free gas cylinders annually to beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Annapurna Yojana, ensuring that no one goes to bed hungry, especially during festivals. In this scheme, 1.84 lakh mothers and sisters in the district benefit from free cylinders through both the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the Chief Minister’s Annapurna Yojana. Additionally, through the Chief Minister’s Vyoshree Yojana, up to Rs. 3,000 is being directly deposited into beneficiaries’ accounts to help them purchase necessary materials. At least 20,000 senior citizens in the district will benefit from this scheme, said Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar.

The state government is also extending strong support to farmers, implementing various projects across 236 villages through the Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjeevani Project. Of the 80,000 farmers in the district, 40,000 have already received direct benefits amounting to Rs. 15 crore in their bank accounts through online disbursement. Under the Chief Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana, priority has been given to road construction in rural areas. Between 2015-16 and 2023-24, 249 roads covering 850 kilometers have been approved. So far, 227 road projects have been completed, with 20 still in progress. Mr. Sattar expressed confidence that all these projects will be completed by December 2024.

Further support to farmers is being provided under schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Agriculture Irrigation Scheme, Agricultural Mechanization, and the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission. High-quality seeds will be distributed to turmeric farmers in the district through the Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray (Turmeric) Haridra Research and Training Centre. Additionally, under the Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Processing Industry Scheme, funds are being allocated to help farmers with branding, marketing, and setting up small industries. An industrial estate has also been approved on 40 hectares in Pardi Budrak, Vasmat taluka. Furthermore, under the Chief Minister’s Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme, farmers will receive free electricity for the next five years, eliminating the need to pay agricultural electricity bills, said Mr. Sattar.

In September, heavy rainfall in Hingoli district affected 286,144 hectares of land, and 2,153 houses were partially damaged. The assessment (panchnama) is in its final stages, with 98% of the work completed. Once the panchnama is finalized, the proposal will be sent to the government for funds. Additionally, Rs. 4 lakh has been distributed to the families of two people who lost their lives due to the heavy rain, said Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar.

Short-term crop loans of up to Rs. 3 lakh are available to farmers, with an interest concession of 3% per annum for those who repay in full by June 30. In the financial year 2023-24, Rs. 2.53 crore in subsidies have been credited to the savings accounts of 45,920 eligible beneficiaries under the interest relief scheme. The district hospital’s pediatric department has also received a national-level rating under the Muskan program. Further improvements are underway, including the construction of an Integrated Public Health Laboratory, Cement Road, Shed, a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory for heart patients, and six modular operation theaters.

The government has also been implementing the Special Constituent Scheme since 1980 to increase income opportunities for the weaker and disadvantaged sections of society through the Scheduled Caste Sub-Yojana. A total of 59 schemes are being implemented through 18 different departments under this initiative. Government hostels for economically backward and Scheduled Caste boys and girls have been established, along with scholarships for their education. To date, 84 individuals have benefited from the Karmaveer Dadasaheb Gaikwad Swabhiman and Empowerment Scheme. Schemes such as the Mini Tractor Program, Government of India Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, and Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Yojana are also being actively implemented, stated Mr. Sattar.

Earlier, the State’s Minister for Minority Development, Finance, and Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar paid tribute to martyrs by laying a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial. A police team honored the martyrs with a three-gun salute and a mournful tune. On this occasion, Mr. Sattar presented shawls and fruits to the families of freedom fighters Rukminibai Devakte and Maltibai Paithankar. Mr. Sattar also met with representatives, officers, citizens, journalists, and extended his wishes on the occasion of Marathwada Liberation Day. He further honored Babarao Ramraoji Padole, who risked his life to help those trapped in floods during the heavy rains in September, with a shawl and fruits.

Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar also launched the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyan’ in the district.

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, October 2 will be celebrated as Swachh Bharat Day. To mark this, the Swachhta Hi Seva 2024 campaign has been launched and will be implemented from September 17 to October 1, 2024. The campaign was officially inaugurated today at the district level by the Minister of Minority Development, Auqaf, Marketing, and Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar.

The theme for this year’s Swachhta Hi Seva 2024 is ‘Cleanliness in Habits, Cleanliness in Culture’ (Swachta Swachta, Sanskar Swachta). In line with this theme, the Central and State Governments have provided instructions for various activities to be carried out during the sanitation service fortnight. Accordingly, a range of daily activities will be implemented across the district. On September 17, the Swachhta Hi Seva Abhiyan will be officially launched by dignitaries at village, taluka, and district levels. As part of the initiative, a Safai Mitra Safety Camp will be held, and a one-window scheme will be conducted to provide benefits to eligible Safai Mitras (sanitation workers) under various schemes. This activity will be carried out on September 19 as a day of voluntary labor donation.

The program was moderated by Pandit Avachar. A large number of journalists, citizens, students, and officers and employees from various departments were present on this occasion.