India Chavan FDC

India FDC
Name: S.B. Chavan
Issue date: 2007 December 17th

Shri Shankarrao Bhaurao Chavan was an eminent political personality, an outstanding parliamentarian and an able administrator. Born to Shri Bhaurao Chavan and Shrimati Laxmibai Chavan at Paithan in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra on 14th July 1920, Shri Chavan graduated from Madras University. He got a law degree from Osmania University. Shri Chavan participated in the freedom struggle in erstwhile Hyderabad state right from his student days and gave up practice during the Quit Court Movement there.

Known as 'Marathwadyache Shilpkar', Shri S.B. Chavan was also associated with various social and educational organizations. He was chancellor of the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, a deemed University, in Pune. He also served as Chairman of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.

Shri S.B. Chavan had a long and distinguished political career starting with member of the Bombay State Legislative council in 1956. In 1957, he was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and remained a member of the Assembly till 1980. He was again elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 1986 and remained a member of it till 1988. Shri Chavan held the office of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra twice, from 1975 to 1977 and from March 1986 to June 1988. He was also a Member of the Seventh and the Eighth Lok Sabha. He represented the State of Maharashtra in Rajya Sabha for three terms, from October 1988 to April 1990, April 1990 to April 1996 and again from April 1996 to April 2002. He was the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha from July 1991 to May 1996. He was Chairman of the Committee on Human Resource Development from 1996 to 2002 and was also Chairman of the Ethics Committee from 1997 to 2002.

Shri S.B. Chavan served as a Cabinet Minister for several years holding the portfolios of Education, Culture and Social Welfare, External Affairs, Defence, home Affairs and Finance. As the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India from August 1981 to July 1984, he provided impetus to the development process.

He was also known for his contribution in irrigation projects like Jaikwadi Prakalp at Paithan, Vishnupuri Prakalp and Upper Painganga Prakalp.

Shri S.B. Chavan passed away on the 26th February, 2004, at the age of 84 years.