VDB seeks 5-yr extension beyond April 2020
| Date :11-Dec-2019 |
By Kartik Lokhande :
With less than five months till the expiry of its current extension period, Vidarbha Development Board (VDB) has sought further extension to development boards for five more years. Chainsukh Sancheti, MLA and Chairman of VDB, has made an official request in this regard to the Governor of Maharashtra. VDB’s current extension period will end on April 30, 2020. VDB and other development boards came into existence on April 30, 1994. As the term was to end on April 30, 2015, extension was given to the boards for five years -- till April 30, 2020.
The President of India had granted the extension considering the significant role played by the development boards in following up the issues concerning removal of backlog, and futhering the cause of balanced regional development in Maharashtra. Sancheti has also listed reasons for seeking extension of term to development boards. As far as VDB is concerned, he has pointed out that the physical backlog of Vidarbha region is yet to be removed. In irrigaton sector, the physical backlog of four districts of the region namely Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, and Washim still remains.
The said backlog is expected to be removed by June 2022. As such, it would be justified to extend the tenure of VDB, he has observed in the letter sent to the Governor. Apart from other reasons, Sancheti has cited some other reasons too. In his letter, he has mentioned that Vidarbha region is at a ‘critical juncture’ today and is ready to ‘take off’ towards development. At this stage, if the Board is not given extension of term beyond April 2020, it is likely to hamper the cause of balanced regional development. For, the Board acts as a catalyst in the process of backlog removal.
“The development boards are potent platforms for raising the issues and concerns regarding balanced regional development in the State. Being statutory in nature, they provide a very effective voice to the people of the lesser developed regions of Maharashtra. Hence, the people of such regions should not be deprived of their voice,” he added. Dr Kapil Chandrayan, Expert Member of VDB, confirmed this to ‘The Hitavada’. According to him, VDB has also sought appointment with the Governor during Winter Session of State Legislature to commence in Nagpur from December 16. “VDB Chairman has sought the appointment to discuss various issues relating to VDB including extension of term, physical backlog of Vidarbha in irrigation sector, studies undertaken by VDB and outcome in policy and programmes, issues regarding utilisation of special funds provided to development boards, etc,” he said.
It may be recalled that VDB has been raising various issues relating to diversion of funds meant for Vidarbha to other regions previously, existence of financial as well as physical backlog, under-development challenges, etc. Since its last extension, it has undertaken various important studies and proposals of some new ones are still waiting administrative approval from the Governor’s office. Given the current situation, if the boards are not granted extension, it may lead to creation of several adversities and growth story of Vidarbha may get affected.