Aurangabad: The region's academicians and activists claimed dissatisfaction over the region's educational sector in the state budget, saying that Marathwada had been 'neglected in favour of Vidarbha'.

As per highlights of the annual budget, presented on Friday, no specific announcement has been made for the city and the region. 

Speaking with ToI, Bharati Bhandekar-Biswas, a senior faculty from Milind College, said the annual budget of Maharashtra has "kept its tradition of neglecting Marathwada".

"The word neglect describes best what the region has received. Such a biased attitude is not new for us, and lacklustre political leadership is to be blamed."

In last year's budget, a School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) was proposed for Aurangabad, with a financial outlay of Rs 10 crore. While setting up such a school is still at a proposal stage, there has reportedly been no budgetary provision for taking the project forward. 

Echoing similar views, Sharad Adwant, general secretary of advocacy group Marathwada Janta Vikas Parishad, accused that Vidarbha region was getting special attention from ruling parties.

"It is but obvious as both the chief minister and finance minister hail from Marathwada. Though such biased attitude can be termed politically correct, but it would have adverse social repercussions for the entire state," he said.

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