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Mumbai, Jan 21 (IANS) Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare will not unfurl the national flag at the Republic Day function in Raigad district, and the honour will instead be performed by Employment Guarantee Minister Bharat Gogawale, according to a government resolution.

As per the General Administration Department’s government resolution issued on Wednesday, Gogawale has been authorised to unfurl the Tricolour at the district headquarters on January 26 as part of the official Republic Day celebrations.

The government resolution, issued in connection with the 77th Republic Day celebrations, lists district-wise guardian ministers, ministers or ministers of state who will unfurl the national flag at the main official functions across Maharashtra.

For the Raigad district, the responsibility has been assigned to Bharat Gogawale, the GR said. Last year, it was Aditi Tatkare who unfurled the flag.

Incidentally, Gogawale, who is a minister from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, has staked a claim over the Raigad district guardian minister’s post.

Due to the tussle between Shiv Sena and NCP, the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had put on hold appointing the Raigad district guardian minister.

Aditi Tatkare was initially appointed as the Raigad district guardian minister last year, but the appointment was stayed after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took strong objection.

The resolution also lays down detailed guidelines for the conduct of Republic Day ceremonies across the state, including timing of flag-hoisting functions, protocol, participation of officials and public representatives, and cultural programmes to mark the occasion.

All departments and district administrations have been directed to ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations in accordance with the prescribed norms, it added.

--IANS

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