Mumbai: Maharashtra on November 13 sought $ 16.5 million aid from Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to combat and prevent fast spreading endemics of AIDS, cancer and malaria and requested the company to increase its presence in the state by associating with various projects.

"We have already spent $ 13 million on prevention and cure of AIDS in the state. We need an additional aid of $ 16.5 million from you for healthcare to fight AIDS, cancer, malaria and other diseases," state Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said in his address at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Gandhi Institute of Computer education and IT in Mumbai.

He said Maharashtra had prepared a detailed note seeking Gates' generous help in developing worlds especially a country like India.

Later, after having a closed door meeting with the Microsoft chairman, Deshmukh told waiting reporters that government has requested him to increase the presence of Microsoft Foundation and Corporation in the state by associating with various projects in healthcare, education, IT training and business.

"The meeting was positive and Gates has appreciated state government's e-governance initiatives," he said.

However, Deshmukh said no specific project or investment has been firmed up with Microsoft, but the government shall have detailed discussions with company officials to work together in all the above mentioned issues.

"We would like Microsoft to associate itself with IT training in the state especially by opening an institute in Pune, which is India's knowledge city," he said.

PTI