Book of Integration Council New - Ministry of Home Affairs

In all, 1840 scholarships have been earmarked for all the minority communities
comprising of Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and Parsis, There are 16,100
scholarships earmarked during 2008-09 for the minority communities in
Maharashtra under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme which is funded entirely
by the Central Govt. for Higher Education from class XI up-to Ph.D. level and
including Technical and Professional courses of ITIs. and Industrial Training
Centers etc.
8. Maharashtra has long been a leader and trend setter amongest the States
of India for economic development and removal of regional imbalance. The
rate of growth of the State's economy is on a par with that at the national
level. The rate of growth of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) over
the last three years has been 9.3%, 9.7% and 9.00% which is comparable to
the National level G.D.P. of 9.4%, 9.6% and 8.7% respectively. Though a
severe financial crunch had prevailed in the State during the initial years of the
Xth Plan, the Annual Plan outlays however, improved thereafter. Against an
approved Xth Plan size of Rs.66,632 crores, the State provided for an outlay
of Rs.59,123 crores and spent Rs.55,324 crores. The Annual Plan outlays
during 2007-08 and 2008-09 has been substantially stepped up. The outlays
increased from Rs.14,829 crores in 2006-07 to Rs. 20,250 crores in 2007-08,
and has touched Rs.25,000/- crores during the year 2008-09.
9. For historical and geographical reasons, the levels of development prevailing
in different parts of Maharashtra have not been uniform. To overcome such
differences or disparities, the Central Govt. had approved of the setting up of
Development Boards under Article 371 of the Indian Constitution.
The Governor of Maharashtra has been able to exercise his authority in ensuring
an adequate monetary provision for addressing the disparities in the economic
development of the State's diverse regions. The backlog of development which
were identified at the time of setting up of the Development Boards have been
reduced to the extent of 61%. Importantly, the current Plan outlay will ensure
the balanced growth of different regions of Maharashtra.
10. According to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe orders Act, 1976 in
Maharashtra State 59 castes are included in Scheduled Caste, 51 castes are
included in VJNT, 346 castes are included in OBC and 7 castes are included
in SBC list. For the inclusion and omission of any caste in the State
list, there is Backward Class Commission headed by the Retired High Court
Judge and Six non-official Members of the six revenue divisions. The Commission
verifies the applications and demands raised by the people and recommends to
Government for decision.
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