Due procedure not followed in Maharshtra Bhushan award, alleges plea

MUMBAI: A petition was today filed in the Bombay High Court seeking a direction to the state committee to quash its decision to confer the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Award on veteran historian and writer Babasaheb Purandare, alleging that the due procedure was not followed.

Purandare has been selected for the honour which is scheduled to be given on August 19.

The petition, filed by Padmakar Kamble and Rahul Okade, alleged that the eligibility criteria was not followed while selecting the awardee and hence the decision process was "arbitrary and reflected non-application of mind."

It argued that several eminent personalities such as social worker Prakash Amte, thespian Dilip Kumar, mega star Amitabh Bachchan and singer Asha Bhosle were short-listed for the award. However, the name of Purandare was included at the last minute and hence the procedure was not followed in letter and spirit, the petitioner alleged.

The petition said that the rules for selecting the award- winner has been set out in Government Resolution of September 1, 2012, however, they are not being followed.

The petition was orally mentioned by lawyer Shekhar Jagtap before Justice Abhay Oka who decided to hear it on August 19.

Maharashtra Bhushan is the highest and prestigious award presented annually by the state government since 1996 for significant contribution in various fields. It was initially conferred in the fields of literature, science, arts and sports. Later, other fields such as social work, health services, journalism and public administration were included.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a memento and citation. The winners are selected by a committee appointed by the state government.