Amid ever growing demand for power, Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today stressed that each state should generate electricity of its own.
“Today, the country generates about two lakh MW of electricity. In last one year, we increased the generation by a record 20,500 MW. But, I am not satisfied. Power is on a concurrent list. Every State should generate electricity of its own,” Mr. Shinde said while speaking at a symposium to mark the birth centenary of Maharashtra’s first Chief Minister Y B Chavan.
While claiming that he did not discriminate against any State when it came to supplying electricity, he said in lighter vein that he tried to give different treatment to Maharashtra and for which he was often criticised.
Currently many States have power generation units of their own but are not able to meet the demand and end up depending on the Centre to make good the shortfall.
Speaking on the reservation given to the backward class communities, he said, “It should be given till it is required”.
Stating that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi showed courage in appointing him as Chief Minister of Maharashtra (in 2003/04) Mr. Shinde said, “I myself never thought that a person from Dalit community would become Chief Minister of Maharashtra. But Congress president Sonia Gandhi showed that courage and sent me here and you all accepted me”.
