(a) whether the Government has received any request from the Government of Maharashtra for a separate Statutory Development Board for Konkan; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the separate Statutory Development Board for Konkan is likely to be established?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)
(a) & (b) : Government has received a Resolution passed on 20th February, 2005 by both the
Houses of Maharashtra State Legislature recommending the establishment of a separate
Development Board for Konkan region of the State. The Planning Commission, who were consulted
in the matter in February 2006, are of the view (May 2006) that backwardness by itself is
not a reason for constitutional amendment for establishing a separate Development Board for
Konkan region as there are other instruments available to the Centre and State Governments
to gear up their developmental machinery. The matter was referred back to Planning Commission
in 2007 for re-examination in view of the persisting demand of Government of Maharashtra.
However, they reiterated their earlier view. No definite time-frame can be specified in this
regard.