Maha govt to partly select Kelkar committee recommendations

Maharashtra government on Thursday said it will accept only those recommendations of the Kelkar Committee which will not result in regional disparity in development activities in the state. Replying to a two-day debate on the recommendations of the Kelkar Committee, set up to study the development backlog in drought-hit Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, finance and planning minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said his government was committed to equitable distribution of funds and all round development of the state. "Kelkar Committee, headed by noted economist Vijay Kelkar, will be the last of committees set up for removal of developmental backlog.

Henceforth, the state will not need any such committees," he said. A cabinet sub-committee, headed by Mungantiwar, has been set up in January this year which will prepare a report with help of legislators of both houses and experts on the government's commitment for all round development of the state and submit its report before December this year.

So far, 16 out of the 30 departments, have sent their suggestions to the sub-committee, he said, adding that it will also look into Kelkar committee recommendations.

Less developed areas and drought-hit areas of the state will be given priority in development, the minister said.

"We will accept those recommendations which will help equitable development. The cabinet sub-committee will study them and prepare its report by December 2015," he added.