28 February,2009 11:22 AM IST | | PTI
In an effort to tide over power shortage in the state, Maharashtra government has decided to buy 500 MW additional electricity from open market from March to May.
The government will provide a subsidy of Rs 200 crore to the state electricity distribution company per month for the purpose. This was decided at a late night Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan at 'Sahaydri' guesthouse in south Mumbai.
According to the distribution company, the present power deficit is 4,500 MW-5000 MW and the Cabinet decision will help reduce load-shedding by an hour every day. The state will purchase power at Rs 8 per unit.
In an important move, the government stayed its earlier decision to levy one per cent registration fee on transaction of any property irrespective of their market value.
The earlier rule of one per cent of the current value of the property (registration fee not exceeding Rs 30,000) will remain in force. The government also allowed single screen theatres to hike ticket rates.
Air conditioned theatres can increase the ticket rate by Rs six and non-air conditioned ones by Rs five.
