Acting tough against the prevailing power crisis in the state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked officers to improve power distribution system so that people do not face electricity crisis this summer. The directives were given in a review meeting of the power sector held here on Thursday. “Ensure that distribution system is functional. All the power sub-stations and transformers should be in running condition. The faults should be attended at the earliest. All the officers should be on their toes and should ensure people do not suffer this summer,” Yadav told officers in the meeting attended by power minister Yasir Shah and Principal Secretary Power Sanjay Agarwal.
He also gave directions to complete new projects. The second unit of 500 MW of Anpara D should be functional by this July. Improve transmission work to check line loss. “This Government is committed to improve power generation and its distribution by 2016 and for this transmission would play a crucial role,” he said. “The rural sector is on the priority list of the government. Feeders should be set up in blocks. The private tube wells should be energized so that farmers could get quality power for irrigation purposes,” he said.
The UP Government has also decided to seek funds from the Centre under Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojana for improving power infrastructure in the villages. “Besides the conventional methods the Government should also look for non-conventional methods to harness electricity. Solar Rooftop policy should be implemented and state-run power companies should be asked to increase production and distribution of lED bulbs so that the benefit could reach the masses,” Yadav said.
During this meeting officers suggested that Government should ask from Centre for Ultra Mega Power Plant. Agreement should be signed with power surplus states to sell electricity on state-to-state basis. “This Government is committed to improve power scenario of the state. By 2016 UP villages should get 16 hour electricity while cities should get 22-24 hour power. For this UP needs more power and effective distribution system,” he said.