The Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday witnessed sharp criticism from senior BJP leader and former finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who accused the state government of depriving Vidarbha of its rightful development funds and delaying the creation of the Vidarbha–Marathwada Mahamandal. He said the statutory body is essential for ensuring balanced development across backward regions.
Speaking during the Winter Session in Nagpur, Mungantiwar reminded the House that Article 371(2) of the Constitution requires the state to establish dedicated mechanisms to monitor progress in Vidarbha and Marathwada. Yet, despite five years of demands, the Mahamandal remains only on paper. He added that leaders from both regions had jointly proposed a ₹75,000-crore development plan, but the government neither approved it nor utilised the funds it claims to have allocated.
He alleged that the current system lacks transparency, enabling the government to present inflated figures without providing district-wise expenditure data. A statutory Mahamandal, he argued, would ensure accountability and guarantee that funds meant for Vidarbha are actually spent there.
Questioning the purpose of holding the Winter Session in Nagpur while the region remains neglected, Mungantiwar said the session should not become a ritual. With regional imbalance emerging as a key issue across parties, pressure on the government is expected to intensify.
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