The centre set up by DVC would analyse and give solution to the in-house problems encountered in Thermal and Hydro generation units as well as Transmission system, which so far has been out-sourced.

With the objective to become India's second largest power generating company and to give power to different regions in the country through the National Grid and to achieve one of the largest utilities of the country, the DVC felt it was essential to set up a research and development centre of its own with fully-equipped laboratories to cater to the needs of the power sector.

Mr Ramesh said by the end of 2011, DVC will be able to generate 11000 MW of power, which is now generating only 2400 MW. After 2017 it is expected to generate 17000 MW. He also added that approximately Rs 120 crore would be spent in the next four years for the development of the DVC.

Mr Ramesh also told the DVC authorities and the professors of IIT Kharagpur, who will be in-charge of the research and development centre, to set the proper criteria for selecting research scholars. He said they should try to hire younger scholars who have fresh ideas and pay them properly so they are not wooed by other organisations.