Mumbai: Maharashtra will attain self-sufficiency for its power needs by 2017, state government told the Assembly yesterday.

Maharashtra's planning for power generation till 2025 is in place, state Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said during a debate under rule 293 of the House.

As per the plan, there is a target of generation of 5,500 MW power in the state by 2017, the minister said, adding the government has approved online meter scheme for electricity consumers.

A 'viduyt sevak' will be appointed at gram panchayat level, Bawankule said.