* In its first meeting since reconstitution, even new members participate enthusiastically and give good suggestions
Staff Reporter
IN
the very first meeting since re-constitution and the second meeting in
this year, Vidarbha Development Board discussed a variety of issues
covering a wide range -- from Kelkar Committee recommendations to
pending reports. The major decision taken in the meeting was to rope in
city-based Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU) to
conduct a comprehensive study on potential of inland fishery
development in Vidarbha region.
Anoop Kumar, Divisional
Commissioner, chaired the meeting that was attended prominently by Adv
Madhukar Kimmatkar, the seniormost Expert Member; Kapil Chandrayan, Dr
Ravindra Kolhe, Dr Anand Bang, Dr Kishor Moghe; Ravindra Thakre, Deputy
Commissioner (Revenue) representing Amravati Division; S J Dharmale,
Deputy Commissioner (Planning) Nagpur in the capacity of officiating
Member Secretary. After the formal introduction of new members,
presentation was made on the history and present-day status and
significance of Vidarbha Development Board.
After the meeting, Anoop
Kumar told media that the members discussed various short-term and
long-term development strategies for Vidarbha region. Untapped potential
of inland fishery was discussed at length. The region has natural water
bodies and reservoirs. However, for want of organised effort, full
potential in inland fishery has not been realised. As a result, inland
fishery has not created employment opportunities to the desired extent.
Dr Rajiv Bhatkar, Expert Member of MAFSU, made a presentation on the
potential for inland fishery. Following this, the Board decided to order
a comprehensive study on the matter. “It was decided to invite a
proposal from MAFSU regarding Action Plan on inland fisheries in
Vidarbha,” Anoop Kumar said.
During the meeting, Dr V S Deshpande,
who served as a Member of High-level Committee for Balanced Regional
Development Issues in Maharashtra, made a presentation on the
committee’s report and recommendations. The committee, known popularly
as Kelkar Committee, has made several recommendations for development of
Vidarbha region and has suggested shifting of the approach from
‘backlog’ to ‘development distance’.
One more prominent issue
discussed in the meeting held on Tuesday afternoon was about orange
marketing. The region is known for oranges. The Board has taken up a
study. However, said S J Dharmale, basic information and data pertaining
to horticulture crops at tehsil level were yet to be compiled by
Agriculture Department. The horticulture crop census was conducted in
the year 2012, but its tehsil-wise report is still to be finalised. In
absence of this specific data, the report on interventions needed for
marketing of oranges produced in Vidarbha is getting delayed. It was
decided in the meeting to take follow-up and expedite making of the
report, he added.
The Board had given the task of preparing two
reports to noted activist Devaji Tofa. These reports were related to
suggestions for framing a policy on employment generation through use of
minor forest produce, exploitation of community forest rights on minor
forest produce under PESA Act. These two reports are yet to be received.
It was decided to request for expediting the reports. Further, District
Development Plans for Gadchiroli and Yavatmal districts are being
prepared. The plan for Gadchiroli is almost complete. A discussion was
held on these plans too.
Adv Kimmatkar had conducted a study on
wells and irrigation thereof. It was placed before the Board in the
previous meeting. It was placed before the reconstituted Board during
meeting held on Tuesday. Some members made certain welcome suggestions.
Those will be incorporated, and the report will be submitted to the
Board again.
Other issues discussed in the meeting included
agriculture, irrigation, forest, tribal development, education, health
etc. Very poor recruitment ratio of Vidarbha in Government and
semi-Government establishments also caught attention of the Board
members. Discussion was held on efforts needed to make youths employable
through desired changes in education system. The members felt the need
for the Board to compile and maintain village-wise database on various
important indicators like agriculture, cultivable land, land holding of
farmers, irrigation coverage and its classification, etc.
(08-07-15)
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