Thursday, June 9 2005 15:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Tata group chairman Ratan Tata today (Jun 9, 2005) met Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and offered help to tide over the acute power crisis.

Tata said his group would provide all possible help, including technical support, to the State Government in an effort that the industries in State does not close down and the impact on the investment in the State is negative.

The State Government would also be provided help for getting power from the State and outside the State, he added.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that joint efforts of State Government and industries would definitely help in tackling the power shortage in the State.

"It is commendable that industries are helping the State to tackle the power shortage and the joint efforts of State Government and industries would help in easing the situation," Deshmukh said.

He said the State Government would consider technical suggestions made by Tata Group for the Government's power generation plants.

"The State Government would also hold a meeting with Confederation of Indian Industry, industrialists and those in power sector for measures to tackle the situation," Deshmukh said.

State Energy Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said there was a need to bring awareness among the public on the proper use of electricity.

Chief Secretary R M Premkumar and State Energy secretary D P Pandey were also present on the occasion.