Brief History: 

The LOKNETE BALASAHEB DESAI CHAIR is named after Shri. Balasaheb Desai, an eminent leader of Modern Maharashtra who played an important role in laying the foundation of Shivaji University in Kolhapur.  The Government of Maharashtra has sanctioned the establishment of the Loknete Balasaheb Desai Chair in Shivaji University during its Golden Jubilee Year (2013-14). It has sanctioned Rs. 3.00 Crore to be used as seed money for the Chair. The activities of the Chair are to be carried out from the yearly interest which occurs from keeping Rs. 3.00 crore seed money in fixed deposit.  However, Shivaji University has not received any of the sanctioned amount. Therefore, the University authorities have sanctioned Rs. 1,00,000/- annually from the University Fund to begin the activities of the Chair. The activities of the Chair have begun from the academic year 2015-16. 

Members of Advisory Commitee: 

1.    Honourable Vice Chancellor, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Chairman)
2.    Pro- Vice Chancellor, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Member)
3.    The Registrar, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Member)
4.    Finance and Accounts Officer, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Member)
5.    Shri. Yashraj Shambhuraj  Desai, Patan  (Member) 
6.    Shri. V.G. Panaskar , Islampur (Member)
7.    Prof. A.R. Bhosale, Former Head (retd.), Department of History, Shivaji University,  Kolhapur (Member)
8.    Prof. Dr. Bharti Patil, Department of Political Science, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Member)
9.    Head, Department of History, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Member)
10.  Dr. Avanish Patil, Coordinator, Loknete Balasaheb Desai Chair, Shivaji University,  Kolhapur (Member- Secretary)