State to shell out Rs 500 cr for power

Expressing the willingness of the saffron alliance to pump in more funds for improving the functioning of the State electricity board, Munde exhorted the employees to run the improved systems on the lines of the models by the Tatas and BEST. Expressing his failure to understand the need for load-shedding despite excess power, Munde issued a stern warning to employees to improve their performances or face privatisation.

Unwilling to accept any explanations from the employees, Munde gave the MSEB a deadline of January 1 for a firm assurance against any load-shedding in Pune after this period. With around 800 megawatts expected from Chandrapur, 715 megawatts from Enron and 250 megawatts from the Koyna power project, around 1500 megawatts will be increased in the grid, he said. He revealed that the Government was also holding talks with other states for selling power.

State Chief Secretary P. Subramaniam in his presidential address revealed that a “knowledge corridor” will be formed between Pune, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to attract software companies. He said he did not agree with critics who lashed out against the combine saying that Hyderabad and Bangalore were attracting all the investments.

“Maharashtra still has the lion’s share in software exports,” he said, adding that as per the survey conducted by the Centre for monitoring Indian economy, the State still ranked first in industry.

An info-tech park will be coming to Pune and the Government has earmarked 150 acres near Yerawada for setting up a software technology institute in association with the Carnegie Mellon University, US.

MSEB chairman Ashok Basak said the board had embarked upon this Rs 98-crore as a result of several complaints in Pune.

Avinash Shetji, officiating chief engineer, MSEB, Pune Urban Zone delivered the introductory address.