State may cut Vidarbha funds by 15 pc

MUMBAI, OCT 26: The Congress-led Democratic Front Government has proposed to cut the special outlay for Vidarbha by 15 per cent despite it...

MUMBAI, OCT 26: The Congress-led Democratic Front Government has proposed to cut the special outlay for Vidarbha by 15 per cent despite its tall claims on removal of regional imbalance.

Reacting to this, Statutory Development Board of Vidarbha member T Bidkar said: "For the current year, a special outlay of Rs 43.86 crore is allotted for removal of regional imbalance. I have been informed that the amount will be cut at least by 15 per cent as per the directives of the Planning Department. I feel it is illegal, I have taken it up with Governor P C Alexander."

Under Article 371 (2) of the Constitution it is the Governor’s responsibility to ensure that there is equitable allocation of funds. Following this rule, Bidkar has requested the Governor to personally look into the complaint. "If the cut is imposed on the funds allocated by the Governor, then it will be in blatant violation of the constitutional provisions," Bidkar said.

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Bidkar alleged that on one hand Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh claims that his Government will take all possible steps for the development of Vidarbha, on the other hand, the Planning Department is thwarting his plans. "Because of such indifferent attitude, the demand for a separate Vidarbha is fast gaining ground," Bidkar added.

Meanwhile, cutting across partyline, Vidarbha politicians have geared up to press for their demand for a separate State. While the All Party Action Committee has given a call for Vidarbha band on the opening day of the winter session of the State Legislature commencing from November 27, former NCP legislator Jagannath Dhone will lead a long march from Shegaon to Nagpur to press for the demand.

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