Additional 7540 MW power generation by 2010: Patil

Mumbai, Mar 21 (UNI) Maharashtra, which is facing a shortfall of over 4000 MW of power, will tide over the situation since the State would be in position to generate 7540 MW additional power by 2010.

This was informed by Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil during the reply on the discussion on the Governor's address in the Legislative Council here today.

Various power projects are currently underway and the Government has also invested in several projects, he added.

Speaking on the law and order situation in the State, Mr Patil claimed that the situation in Mumbai and elsewhere in the State was far better compared to Delhi, Patna, Kanpur or international cities like New York and Tokyo. The crime rate in Mumbai and the State was much less compared to these cities.

During Hurricane Katrina, there were incidents of looting and robbery in the USA but no such incidents occurred in Mumbai and elsewhere in the State during last year's deluge, Mr Patil said while referring to the better situation in the State.

The Government, he said, had distributed Rs 12,500 crore in assistance to farmers and others affected by the floods. Around 1.9 crore people had been affected by the floods and 1.75 crore of them have been rehabilitated.

Mr Patil said the Government prposes to introduce free education for economically-backward children irrespective of their caste affiliations to prevent dropouts.

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