New development authority for Maoist-affected areas: Chavan

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has decided to set up a development authority for Maoist-affected districts like Gadchiroli to overcome hurdles faced in development work there, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan informed the Legislative Assembly here today. Chavan announced this while replying to a query by Congress MLA Namdev Usendi during question hour, as the monsoon session of Maharashtra Legislature began here today. Highlighting various difficulties faced while carrying out developmental activities in Maoist-affected areas, Usendi, a legislator from Gadchiroli district, said there was a need to set up a separate development authority for such regions. [caption id=“attachment_956369” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] Maharashtra’s minister of state for planning Rajendra Mulak said there were various problems in setting up such an authority, which prompted slogan shouting by opposition members against the government. BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar said the state government had assured that such an authority would be set up, while Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse said the government should act immediately to set up the authority. Speaker Dilip Walse Patil said the government should honour the feelings expressed by legislators. The chief minister then announced that a district development authority would be set up for Maoist-affected districts like Gadchiroli, Gondia, Chandrapur and Bhandara. PTI