The fundamental principle of a vision for a country or a province is sustainable, balanced and all- inclusive socio-economic development of the region. A suitable environment leads to a sustainable growth across all sectors in conjunction. Investments in the ecology and environment assure balanced growth over a period. Maharashtra, the leading state of the Union, has drawn a Vision Document for 2030, which is just half a dozen years away.
The draft dwells heavily on developing agriculture and allied activities, to start with. It is the most important aspects of the Vision. This covers allied activities like animal husbandry, dairy development, fisheries, water resource development and water conservation, besides forest preservation and promotion. The second aspect is industry. No doubt, Maharashtra is the most industrialised state. But the industrial growth is confined to only a few pockets. This needs percolation to the taluka levels. The challenge is to accelerate this process in the given time frame of six years. Schemes like Make in India and Make in Maharashtra have been talked about time and again but little has been done at the ground level. This policy, if implemented, shall be an instrument to achieve Vision 2030.
As far as infrastructure development is concerned, Maharashtra is quite fortunate. Massive projects of the roads, railways, ports and airports are underway in the state and more are planned. As this is the basic requirement to overcome the present lopsided scenario, the emphasis on infrastructure development will be a tool to achieve growth in real terms across the state. This booster does is already visible and its spread on the transport industry is remarkable.
Unfortunately, Maharashtra has to make spectacular progress on the social front. Despite progress in economic terms, it is near the bottom of the social sector achievement ladder when compared with other states. This sector encompassing social development shall be the focus of Vision 2030. The gains and achievements in this sector, in coordination with those in material sectors shall lead to an improvement in Human Development Index (HDI) performance.
All the administrative, financial and developmental policies ultimately aim at facilitating a speedy, time-bound achievement, leading to Vision 2030. To make it a reality, the government in the state must be a helpful, accountable and transparent organ of democracy. Mercifully, the administrative structure in Maharashtra is quite sturdy though still better results need to be expedited to dispense social justice effectively.
The landscape in Maharashtra has been dominated by quite expected vagaries of nature. The state has not been able to handle this situation well. The overall water shortage due to unpredictable rainfalls through years in most parts of the state is well known. The flight of capital and industry from Maharashtra is another bitter reality. It is clear that these two issues will dominate the political outcomes in Maharashtra in the short and long terms.
Although Vidarbha is the only region in the state which had received satisfactory rainfall, many parts of the region are hit by water scarcity. In Western Maharashtra, districts such as Ahmednagar and Sangali received low rainfall. In North Maharashtra, Marathwada and other regions, the average rainfall was less. In spite of many announcements to make Maharashtra a Tanker Free State, people continue to suffer and struggle for a pot of drinking water. This challenge is awaiting a permanent solution. The water scarcity is already a major poll issue in some remote villages, which have threatened to boycott voting in the current Lok Sabha election. The severity of the situation has already started ringing alarm bells.
Though the LS elections are being held on time and the assembly polls, too, will happen as per the timetable, it is a sorry situation that all local body elections in Maharashtra have been put on hold. There are myriad reasons for this to happen. However, the reality remains that the people’s representatives in municipalities, small and big, are absent. The affairs are run by the bureaucrats. This is an aggrieving factor for any state, for any government. It is sad that it is happening in Maharashtra.
While taking a look back, it is evident that Maharashtra has excelled in the growth of industry but not as much where agriculture is concerned. Maharashtra has been a pioneer in women’s empowerment. Glorious history of great women leaders and reformists have shown the path ahead across generations. In championing the cause of women’s education and emancipation, Maharashtra leads in movements of women’s liberation. Incidentally, Maharashtra is the first state in India to enact 30 percent reservation for women in local bodies. It is now 50 percent.
One fact that stands out at the 64th year of Maharashtra’s birth is the declining level of political discourse. No party or leader is free of blame on this count. Invective has seeped into the public speeches, television debates and even personal dialogue. Difference of opinion has come to mean individual enmity. There is no healthy debating. None is spared, women, veteran leaders or even those in top constitutional positions. Once known for its rich political culture, Maharashtra is now sliding down on the scale of politeness and decorum. This malady is aggravated by the rampant floor crossing. Defections have become order of the day. Once upon a time, the opposition in the state was minuscule but it enjoyed immense respect, from society and from the ruling class. Character, integrity and social commitment were the virtues that were revered. One fears that they are fast vanishing from the public arena. This needs a drastic change and the leadership across party lines is obliged to rectify this lamentable situation. Then and only then will the younger generation find a path forward.
Maharashtra has prospered because of its liberal outlook. It has been taken to great heights by those, who were born on this soil or who came here in search of building a career, starting a business or just for employment. Hence, in conclusion, one message stands out clearly. Maharashtra has been a place for all. People from all over the country and even abroad throng to this state and are assimilated here. This spirit of Maharashtra must be protected, preserved and promoted by all of us so that this fabric remains intact and the state progresses forward speedily.
A Column By
Dilip Chaware – Senior Editor
A media professional for 43 years, with extensive experience of writing on
a variety of subjects; he is also a documentary producer and book author.
