Khodke Grills Govt Over Development Boards Delay Nagpur: A heated political debate unfolded in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday as Congress MLA Sulabha Khodke accused the government of failing to reconstitute statutory development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the rest of Maharashtra. The delay, which has persisted for over six years, has drawn sharp criticism from Khodke, who argued that the absence of these constitutional bodies has undermined efforts to address regional imbalances and developmental backlogs in the state’s historically disadvantaged regions. Khodke raised the issue through a written calling attention motion during the monsoon session in Mumbai, highlighting that the boards, established under Article 371(2) of the Constitution, have remained defunct since April 30, 2020. These boards, created in 1994, were designed to ensure equitable distribution of development funds, educational opportunities, and employment across Maharashtra’s regions. Despite repeated assurances from successive governments, the boards have not been fully reconstituted, leaving critical mechanisms for regional development inoperable. The MLA pointed out that the offices of these boards have continued to function even after their tenure expired, with annual administrative and staff expenses exceeding 3 crore rupees. Khodke criticized the lack of proper appointments for key officials, such as Dr Vijay Bhakare for Vidarbha and Anil Ramod for Marathwada, arguing that these vacancies have further hampered the boards’ ability to fulfill their mandates. In response, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the government’s actions, stating that the reconstitution process is ongoing.#devendra_fadnavis #maharashtra_legislative_assembly #vidarbha #marathwada #sulabha_khodke
Amravati MLA Urges Shift of Govt Medical College Site from Forest-Protected Land Amravati MLA Sulabha Khodke has called on the state government to relocate the proposed site for the Amravati Govt Medical College (GMC) from Mauje Aliyabad, a location under the forest department’s jurisdiction. In a letter dated April 30, Khodke highlighted that the proposed site falls within the forest department’s “identified forest” area, making it subject to the Forest (Conservation & Protection) Act, 1980. She emphasized that non-forestry activities, including the establishment of the medical college, require prior approval from the Central government, which has not been secured. Khodke argued that the GMC should be situated in the central part of the city to ensure connectivity with existing health infrastructure. She proposed alternative locations, including the premises of the women’s hospital and super specialty hospital, which she noted have 23 acres of land available in the city’s core. Additionally, she suggested utilizing 25 acres of land from the Panjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth’s 75-acre plot, as well as 23 acres adjacent to the city at Mauje Rahatgaon (Survey No. 121) and 25 acres of land owned by the Cotton Marketing Federation in the city’s central area. The MLA’s request followed a visit by representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is funding the medical college’s construction. During their survey of the forest department office, they identified the proposed site as part of the forest area, prompting Khodke to escalate the issue. She also wrote to state ministers Hasan Mushrif (medical education) and Chandrashekhar Bawankule (revenue) to seek resolution.#forest_department #asian_development_bank #amravati_mla #sulabha_khodke #amravati_govt_medical_college
