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    Planning Branch

    Key Features

    The Planning Branch functions under the supervision of the Divisional Commissioner. This branch monitors the operations of the offices of District Planning Officers (Planning Branch) working under the jurisdiction of the respective District Collectors.

    1. At the divisional level, the branch oversees the following programs:

      • District Annual Plan (General Plan / Tribal Sub-Plan / Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan)
      • MLA Local Area Development Program
      • MP Local Area Development Program
      • Hill Area Development Program
      • Human Development Program
      • Regional Tourism Development Plan
      • Additionally, the branch handles evaluation and survey work as received from the head office.

    2. To execute and oversee the above tasks, the following officers/employees are operational:

      • Deputy Commissioner (Planning)
      • Planning Branch:
        1. Assistant Research Officer (Planning)
        2. Statistical Assistant (Planning)
      • Evaluation Branch:
        1. Research Officer (Evaluation)
        2. Assistant Research Officer (Evaluation)
        3. Statistical Assistant (Evaluation)

    Important Notes:

    This office does not interact directly with the general public, and therefore, it does not handle matters concerning public grievances. However, permanent orders related to the office’s functioning are preserved.

    Organizational Structure of the Planning Branch

    • Divisional Commissioner
    • Planning Branch
    • Deputy Commissioner (Planning)
    • Research Officer (Evaluation)
    • Assistant Research Officer
    • Assistant Research Officer (Evaluation)
    • Statistical Assistant
    • Statistical Assistant (Evaluation)
    • Stenographer
    • Revenue Assistant
    • Driver
    • Peon

    Planing Branch

    Maharashtra follows the principle of decentralized planning, similar to select other states. While implementing various schemes at the district level, priorities are set within the budgetary limits allocated by the government, and a draft district plan is prepared accordingly.

    The classification of planning schemes is as follows:

    1. State-Level Schemes
    2. State-Pool Schemes
    3. District-Level Schemes

    To assist the Divisional Commissioner in monitoring these schemes, the Planning Branch has been established at the divisional level. This branch is responsible for overseeing the District Annual Plan (General), Tribal Sub-Plan, Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan, MLA Local Area Development Program, MP Local Area Development Program, Hill Area Development Program, Human Development Program, and Regional Tourism Development Plan. Additionally, evaluation and survey work received from the head office is carried out by this branch.

    District Annual Plan

    After the formation of Maharashtra in 1960, the government adopted the principle of balanced development by formulating Five-Year Plans and District Plans. For this purpose, District Planning and Development Boards (DPDBs) were established in every district. As per Article 243ZD of the Indian Constitution (74th Amendment), these boards were later replaced by District Planning Committees (DPCs). The Guardian Minister of the district serves as the Chairperson of the DPC, while the District Collector acts as the Member Secretary.

    To formulate the District Annual Plan, the government issues budgetary limits and guidelines. Based on these, the District Planning Committee prepares the draft plan within the given limits and submits it to the government. The plan is then approved at the state level under the chairmanship of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Planning.

    Once finalized, funds are allocated to the District Collector through the budgetary distribution system, who then disburses them to implementing agencies at the district level. Monthly review meetings at both the district level (chaired by the District Collector and Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad) and divisional level (chaired by the Divisional Commissioner) ensure proper monitoring of these schemes.

    District Annual Plan Budget for 2023-24 (₹ in crore):
    Sr. No. District General Plan Tribal Sub-Plan SC Sub-Plan Total District Plan
    1 Nashik 680.00 313.12 100.00 1093.12
    2 Dhule 265.00 120.00 31.00 416.00
    3 Jalgaon 510.00 55.92 92.00 657.92
    4 Ahilyanagar 620.00 53.00 144.00 817.00
    5 Nandurbar 160.00 350.00 12.00 522.00
    Nashik Division 2235.00 892.04 379.00 3506.04

    MLA Local Area Development Program

    Since 1984-85, the MLA Local Area Development Program has been implemented in Maharashtra. This program includes small-scale local development projects that can be completed within a year.

    Current Legislative Representation in Nashik Division:
    Sr. No. District Talukas Constituencies MLAs MLCs
    1 Nashik 15 15 15 2
    2 Dhule 4 5 5 1
    3 Nandurbar 6 4 4 0
    4 Jalgaon 15 11 11 1
    5 Ahilyanagar 14 12 12 2
    Nashik Division 54 47 47 6

    Each MLA is allocated ₹5.00 crore per year, and they recommend projects within their constituency. The District Collector’s office monitors the program at the district level.

    MP Local Area Development Program

    The MP Local Area Development Program (MPLADS) is a centrally sponsored scheme, implemented in Maharashtra since 1993. Initially, MPs received ₹5 lakh per year, but this has since increased to ₹5 crore per year. Unlike the MLA program, unspent funds from one year can be carried forward.

    MPs recommend small-scale projects such as roads, bridges, classrooms, community halls, and libraries. The Government of India issues specific guidelines for the scheme.

    Current Parliamentary Representation in Nashik Division:
    Sr. No. District Talukas Lok Sabha Seats Lok Sabha MPs Rajya Sabha MPs
    1 Nashik 15 2 2 0
    2 Dhule 4 1 1 0
    3 Nandurbar 6 1 1 0
    4 Jalgaon 15 2 2 0
    5 Ahilyanagar 14 2 2 0
    Nashik Division   54 8 8 0

    Hill Area Development Program

    With the aim of achieving balanced development of the state, the state has been planning five-year plans and annual district plans. Considering the special status of the Dongari Division, it was realized that the division needs special attention. To determine the boundaries of the Dongari Division and understand its problems, the state government formed a subcommittee of the Cabinet in October 1988. Based on the recommendations of this committee, the criteria for defining the Dongari Division were approved, and the division was declared by categorizing it into full and sub-groups. In the Nashik division, there are 16 full groups and 20 sub-groups, and this program is implemented in these groups.

    The full and sub-groups in the division are as follows:
    S. No. District Total Talukas Total Full Groups Total Sub-Groups
    1 Nashik 15 9 5
    2 Dhule 4 2 1
    3 Nandurbar 6 3 3
    4 Jalgaon 15 0 6
    5 Ahilyanagar 14 2 5
    Total   54 16 20

    For the development of the declared Dongari Division, the state government allocates Rs. 2.00 crore for each full group and Rs. 1.00 Crore for each sub-group. To ensure the effective implementation of the program, district-level committees are formed under the chairmanship of the respective guardian ministers. It is suggested that 25% of the fund received should be used for educational purposes and 75% for other development works. Under this program, projects such as roads, primary health centers, rural water supply, primary education, minor irrigation, lift irrigation schemes, small bridges, community halls, Anganwadi construction, solar energy development, etc., are permissible.

    Human Development Program

    Human development is a concept aimed at creating an environment where individuals can develop their full potential, allowing them to lead a creative and productive life according to their needs and desires, and participate in the decision-making process for societal welfare.

    According to the Human Development Report 2002, the state government established the Human Development Mission on June 29, 2006, to improve the human development index of the 12 most backward districts. Among the 4 districts selected in the Nashik division, Dhule and Nandurbar are categorized as backward. To implement and monitor this program, district-level committees are formed under the chairmanship of the District Collector, and taluka-level committees are formed under the leadership of the Block Development Officer.

    The state government extended this program in 2011, shifting the focus from districts to talukas. Currently, the program is being implemented in 125 talukas across the state, including 25 talukas in the Nashik division.
    S. No. District Talukas Included in the Program Urban Area Human Development Index of the District (2012)
    1 Nashik Surgana, Peth, Kalwan, Dindori, Igatpuri, Trimbakeshwar, Satana, Nandgaon (8) Igatpuri, Trimbakeshwar, Satana, Nandgaon 0.746 (8th)
    2 Dhule Shirpur, Sakri, Dhule, Sindkheda (4) — 0.671 (26th)
    3 Nandurbar Akkalkuwa, Nandurbar, Akrani, Taloda, Nwapur, Shahada (6) Taloda, Nwapur 0.604 (34th)
    4 Jalgaon Chalisgaon, Chopda, Jamner, Bodwad, Erandol, Muktainagar, Amalner (7) Jamner, Erandol 0.723 (14th)

    The following initiatives are currently being implemented under this program:

    1. Starting study rooms in secondary schools in large villages.
    2. Providing bus facilities between villages and schools for all girls in rural areas.
    3. Distributing bicycles to girls from 8th to 12th grade.
    4. Providing laboratory equipment to government/ aided secondary and higher secondary schools.
    5. Establishing Balbhavan (Children's Center) Science Centers at taluka levels.
    6. Expanding the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Yojana up to 10th grade.
    7. Health check-ups for pregnant women by expert women doctors, as well as check-ups and treatment for children aged 0-6 months and mothers.
    8. Providing nutritional support to economically disadvantaged women under the poverty line.
    9. Preparing district/ taluka-specific plans (20% of the total funds for the taluka can be used).
    10. Implementing skill development and employment generation programs.