Former minister and freedom fighter Maheswar Baug passed away today at the district headquarter hospital here.
He was ill for last some time.
Baug was 85 and is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.
He was twice elected to the state Assembly from Basta constituency in Balasore district in 1961 and 1977.
Baug was minister for works and health during chief ministership of Nilamani Routray in 1977.
He was a socialist activist inspired by Ram Manohar Lohia all along his life and associated in many social organisation.
His body was cremated this afternoon.
