In a significant statement in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, State Power Minister AK Sharma declared that the government has not yet arrived at a conclusive decision regarding the privatisation of the power sector. He emphasised that any future move in this direction would be strictly guided by the larger public interest.
Minister's Assurance on Privatisation
Responding to a query raised by Samajwadi Party MLA Dr. Ragini Sonker during the Question Hour on Wednesday, Minister Sharma provided clarity on the sensitive issue. The minister stated that the matter of privatising electricity distribution is still under active consideration and no final verdict has been reached. He reiterated his earlier stance, assuring the house that the welfare of the state's citizens remains the paramount concern.
"As far as privatisation is concerned, I have said earlier also that no final decision has been taken yet," Sharma affirmed. "Whatever decision is taken will be in the larger interest of the people of the state, keeping in mind the objective of providing good quality power to all sections of society." This statement aims to address growing speculation and concerns regarding the potential handover of power distribution to private entities.
Central Funds and Improved Power Supply
In a related development, the minister informed the Assembly about substantial central assistance for rural electrification. The central government has sanctioned and released a sum of Rs 1,000 crore specifically for the electrification of the remaining 20,000 hamlets across Uttar Pradesh. This fund is expected to accelerate the last-mile connectivity of electricity to remote areas.
Replying to questions from SP MLAs Mahendra Nath Yadav, Prabhu Narain Singh Yadav, and others, Sharma provided a breakdown of current power supply hours. He detailed that while district headquarters are receiving 24-hour electricity, tehsil headquarters enjoy 22 hours of supply. Rural areas are now receiving an average of 20 hours of power daily, marking a significant improvement from previous years.
Comparative Performance and Cross-Party Praise
Minister Sharma also presented a comparative analysis of power supply during peak periods. He claimed that during the previous Samajwadi Party government, the maximum power supplied peaked at around 13,000 MW. In contrast, the current BJP-led administration has successfully supplied over 30,000 MW during peak demand without major issues, highlighting a substantial increase in capacity and management.
In an interesting turn of events during the same session, senior SP MLA Sangram Yadav took the opportunity during supplementary question time to commend the Yogi Adityanath government. Representing the Atraulia constituency in Azamgarh district, Yadav praised the state government for sanctioning and repairing major roads in his area. Standing at his seat, he recounted the development work undertaken and even expressed gratitude for the administration's responsiveness to his demands for road repairs, showcasing a rare moment of cross-party acknowledgment for infrastructure work.
The minister's statements collectively underscore the government's cautious approach to structural reforms in the power sector while highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance electrification and ensure stable supply across urban and rural Uttar Pradesh.
