The Dandekar Committee Report and Its Impact on Vidarbha Region

The Dandekar Committee Report and Its Impact on the Vidarbha Region

In the early 1980s, discussions about economic inequality in Maharashtra grew louder. While some regions prospered, others lagged, struggling with poor infrastructure and limited investment.

It was in this context that the Maharashtra government commissioned a report to examine regional imbalances and suggest corrective measures.

The findings, documented in what became known as the Dandekar Committee Report of 1983, revealed stark disparities, particularly in Vidarbha.

Decades later, the recommendations remain relevant, yet the region continues to face significant hurdles. Understanding the report’s impact provides valuable insight into why development remains uneven and what challenges persist despite policy interventions.

Findings of the Dandekar Committee

The Dandekar Committee’s report laid bare the extent of economic neglect in certain parts of Maharashtra. The findings were methodical, leaving little room for dispute.

After months of data collection and analysis, the committee presented a quantified

breakdown of the development backlog across nine critical sectors. For the first time, there was a concrete figure attached to Maharashtra’s regional imbalance,  ₹3,186.78 crore. This number represented years of stalled projects, inadequate investment, and the widening gap between different regions.

Vidarbha stood out with the highest backlog at ₹1,246.55 crore, a striking 39% of the total. The figures painted a stark picture of underdeveloped roads, incomplete irrigation networks, insufficient electricity in villages, and shortages in healthcare and education.

The committee’s assessment was not based on general observations but on measurable deficiencies that affected daily life.

The irrigation shortfall was particularly significant. With ₹1,385.92 crore needed to bring it up to par, the problem extended beyond just underfunding.

The report revealed how Vidarbha’s reliance on agriculture had been severely impacted by poor water management, leaving farmers vulnerable to erratic monsoons and unpredictable yields.

Beyond irrigation, other numbers reinforced the imbalance. Roads required ₹600.29 crore in investment, village electrification ₹240.65 crore, and water supply ₹378.24 crore. The backlog in general and technical education meant limited opportunities for people to improve their livelihoods, further entrenching economic hardship.

Government Response and Policy Shifts

Government Response and Policy Shifts

When the Dandekar Committee submitted its findings in 1984, it forced Maharashtra’s leadership to confront an issue that had long been ignored. The numbers were clear, and so was the need for urgent action. The government could not afford to dismiss the report, especially with Vidarbha’s development gap exposed in such detail.

In response, the state formed an Empowered Committee to scrutinise the recommendations.

This secondary review played a crucial role in determining how the findings would be translated into policy. The committee reassessed the methodology behind identifying the backlog and finalised an approach for addressing it. By April 1987, its recommendations were ready.

Even before this review was complete, the government took its first concrete step. Starting with the 1985-86 budget, annual allocations included dedicated funds aimed at bridging regional gaps.

This was a departure from previous approaches, as these funds were specifically set aside to target the identified shortfalls in roads, irrigation, electrification, and other key sectors. It was the beginning of an attempt to correct years of uneven development.

Another major shift came with the implementation of Article 371(2) of the Constitution. This provision allowed for the creation of Development Boards, ensuring that regional disparities were addressed through a structured framework.

These boards, established for Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the rest of Maharashtra, were given the mandate to oversee and direct funds where they were most needed.

This was a significant step, as it placed regional development within a constitutional mechanism, making it harder to ignore.

However, policy shifts on paper did not always translate to rapid improvements. While the government committed to addressing the backlog, the pace of implementation varied.

Political factors influenced how and where funds were distributed, and delays in execution meant that some areas continued to struggle. The challenge was not just in allocating resources but in ensuring that they reached the right places and produced meaningful results.

Impact and Ongoing Challenges

The Dandekar Committee’s findings created a shift in Maharashtra’s approach to regional development. For the first time, the extent of economic disparity between regions had been quantified in a way that could not be ignored.

The state responded by increasing budgetary allocations and introducing policy changes aimed at addressing the backlog, but the real test was in execution.

While some progress was made, many of the issues flagged in the report persisted. Irrigation remained one of the biggest concerns.

Years after the committee identified Vidarbha’s irrigation shortfall as a major obstacle, large portions of farmland still relied on erratic rainfall. Projects meant to improve water availability either faced delays or were left incomplete. Farmers, dependent on a stable water supply, continued to struggle with inconsistent crop yields and mounting debt.

The challenges extended beyond agriculture. While investments were made in infrastructure, they did not always keep pace with the region’s growing needs. Roads were built, but connectivity gaps remained. Schools and health centres were established, but staffing and resource shortages limited their effectiveness. The backlog had been acknowledged, but closing the gap was proving to be a slower process than anticipated.

One of the most troubling developments was the rise in farmer suicides. Vidarbha became known for distress in the agricultural sector, with high levels of debt and fluctuating market conditions pushing many into crisis. Reports showed that the number of farmer suicides in Maharashtra was among the highest in the country, with a significant concentration in Vidarbha. The government introduced support schemes, but they did not fully address the deeper structural issues that had been highlighted in the committee’s report.

Political factors also played a role in shaping the region’s trajectory. While Article 371(2) provided a framework for addressing disparities, its effectiveness depended on consistent policy enforcement. Development Boards were created, but their ability to drive meaningful change varied over time.

Discussions about Vidarbha’s underdevelopment continued, with some groups advocating for separate statehood, arguing that local governance would allow for better control over resources.

The Dandekar Committee’s work remains relevant today because many of the core issues it identified have not been fully resolved.

The backlog that was measured in crores decades ago continues to affect lives in ways that cannot always be quantified. While the report succeeded in bringing attention to the problem, ensuring long-term change has proven to be a much larger challenge.

References

• Maharashtra State Development Board. (2009). Removal of regional imbalance. Retrieved from https://www.msdb.gov.in/newsite/rri.html

• South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People. (2014, December 31). Vidarbha: "The worst place in the nation to be a farmer?" Retrieved from https://sandrp.in/2014/12/31/vidarbha-the-worst-place-in-the-nation-to-be-a-farmer/

• International Water Management Institute. Political economy of irrigation development in Vidarbha. Retrieved from https://publications.iwmi.org/pdf/H032405.pdf

• India GM Info. Report of fact finding team on Vidharbha. Retrieved from http://indiagminfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/rep_vidarbha.pdf