Reconstitute Vidarbha Statutory Development Board

Nagpur, April 1

As there has been no decision on reconstituting the Vidarbha Statutory Development Board and other development boards, the High Court has issued a notice to the governor, principal secretary of the state and the union home secretary.

Taking cognizance of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by pro-Vidarbha activists, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has demanded answers from the three institutional representatives in two weeks. Vidarbhite Nitin Ronghe and former member of Vidarbha Development Board, Dr Kapil Chandrayan have filed the PIL.

The PIL was heard by the bench on Justice duo S B Shukre and Justice A G Gharote. Adv Shrihari Anne and Adv Akshay Sudame represented the petitioners.

Dr Chandrayan said that the state government does not have the constitutional right to take decisions regarding the development board.

According to Article 371 (2) of the Constitution, the governor has exclusive right to take decisions. Despite this, the decision of the development board is hanging in balance due to lack of instructions from the State cabinet.

Even when the state government does not have the authority, the deputy chief minister has said that if the governor approved the names of the 12 nominated members, we will allow the reconstitution of development board. We will not compromise on Vidarbha’s rights. Vidarbhites also raised objections on the decision-making capacity of the governor.