Rs500 crore meant for human development mission in Maharashtra unused

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar today said a budgetary provision of Rs500 crore made last year for implementation of human development mission has not been utilised.

Addressing the state assembly, Pawar said the human development index report would be ready by May end where the backward talukas would be listed and prioritised for development in the field of health, and education.

Pawar, who is also the planning minister, said after the 2002 Human Index report was prepared, 25 talukas in 12 districts were selected and focus was given on improving the per capita income, health and education facilities.

However, this time it was not decided as to how many talukas should be selected and which areas to lay thrust on, so the amount of Rs 500 crore lay unused, he added.

Speaker Dilip Walse Patil directed the government to ensure that human index development report is prepared every year.

Pawar said "taluka" would be considered as the base for preparing the human development report.

Members cutting across party lines felt that instead of depending on external agencies for conducting survey of human development, the government should come up with its own machinery.

The issue came up for debate in the question hour in response to the main question by Jaykumar Rawal (BJP) who said his constituency Sindkheda in Dhule district should be included in the human development mission scheme since it is drought prone, a 40% adivasi belt and had large population of farm labourers who migrate for livelihood.