Following pressure from all parties, the Centre has decided to give five years extension to the three statutory development boards in Maharashtra. The decision is being taken at a time, when the Vidarbha leaders are asking for a separate state. Leaders from Vidarbha, Marathwada and Konkan regions, were accusing the western
Maharashtra leadership for ignoring the development demands of these regions. Presidential orders granting a five year extension are expected to be issued soon.
The term of the Vidarbha statutory development board, Marathwada development board and the development board for the rest of Maharashtra had expired on April 30,2010. The government had given a six-month extension.
Home ministry sources said that the move to give fresh five years extension to the development boards in Maharashtra is part of the government’s endeavour to aid development of the backward regions. The three development boards are functioning in Maharashtra from May 1, 1994, initially for a period of five years which was extended from time to time. Their term has last been extended from May 1, 2006 to April 30, 2010.
The provision under Article 371(2) of the Constitution empower the governor to give directives for targeted budgetary allocation to remove the developmental backlogs in the regions in various sectors such as irrigation, health care and tribal development. The “special responsibility” of the governor in respect of the development boards, is not subject to the aid and advice of the council of ministers.
The state of Maharashtra (special responsibility of governor for Vidarbha, Marathwada and the rest of Maharashtra) order, 1994, was issued on March 9, 1994. The provision under Article 371(2) of the Constitution provides that under the orders of the President, the governor may be vested with “special responsibility’’ for establishment of development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada and the rest of Maharashtra with a view to ensure equitable distribution of funds for development.