The announcement was made by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan here today.
The award, instituted in 1997 by the Maharashtra government to recognise distinguished work and achievements of eminent persons from the state, representing different walks of life, carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation.
Legendary humorist P L Deshpande, singer Lata Mangeshkar, cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, social workers Abhay and Rani Bang, industrialist Ratan Tata and scientist Jayant Narlikar are among the prominent recipients in the past.
The state government has been seeking guidance from Kakodkar, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, on the issue of Jaitapur nuclear power project in coastal Konkan.
Kakodkar also conducted interactive sessions with state legislators to inform them about the benefits of the nuclear project.PTI VT NSK