Rajasthan will be a power surplus state by 2010: Chief Minsiter

Jaipur, Mar 7 (UNI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said the state will achieve self sufficiency in the power sector with an addition of 1900 MW of power by next year and become a power surplus state by 2010.

The Chief Minister while replying to the Governor's address in the Assembly today said the state has been able to erase the tag of a 'Bimaru' state and is marching towards the path of all-round development.

After the Chief Ministers speech the governors address was passed by a voice vote.

Ms Raje said the government's ambitious power reform project with an investment of Rs 5000 crore has been able to reduce the transmission loss considerabley by carrying out the maintenace of 8000 feeder networks in the state.

The Chief Minister while comparing the previous Congress rule and the three years of the BJP government said due to the efforts of the government the state has succeded in attracting big business and has become an important destination for foreign and domestic investment.

She said the state government has been able to bring a turn around in the state finance by drastically reducing the revenue deficit and fiscal deficit in the last three years.

She said a huge amount of Rs. 68,422.16 crore has been allocated for the 11th five year plan which is more than the combined total of the last three five year plans.

The Chief Minister said the anual plan outlay of Rs 11,638.86 for the year 2006-07 is higher than the total allocation of Rs.11,500 crore for the 8th five year plan period.

She said due to the better fiscal condtion the state was able to get rid of over draft and advance from RBI after 2004.

UNI