Akhilesh demands higher power allocation to UP, writes to PM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought parity in power allocation to the state from the Central pool and a review of the allotment mechanism.

In addition to this, he has written to the PM regarding problems, which include non-availability and poor quality of coal, hurdles being faced in installing transmission lines and delay in environmental clearances related to various existing and power projects which are under way in the state. Yadav has requested the PM to take effective steps to resolve these problems, an official release issued here said.

Stating that UP gets lower power allocation from the Central pool, he said in the letter that power was being allocated to the state since April 2000 under a set formula, which had been accepted as the guiding directive. Yadav said power is allocated according to the population of a state, as per the "Gadgill formula".

As the state has the maximum population in the country, so it should get maximum power but in reality it was not so, he added.

He said for instance Delhi and Maharashtra, which have a lower population compared to Uttar Pradesh are being allocated more power than what was being allocated to his state.

The Chief Minister said that this shows the discrimination against the state.  Increase in demand, weather and irrigation related needs of the state should be taken into consideration while allocating power to the state, he added.  Yadav said the time has come to reconsider norms for allocating power to the states from the central pool.

In another letter, he informed the PM that Anpara and Paricha units are two important public sector thermal power plants, which generate 56 per cent power in the state.

To ensure maximum generation by these two plants, he said, supply of good quality coal is needed and the required directives should be issued to Coal India Limited.

The Chief Minister said at present coal supplied to these plants by suppliers was of low quality.  It contains higher quantity of stones and the supply is also lesser than what is required, he added.

He requested the Prime Minister that hurdles being faced in coal blocks should be removed soon so that power generation from these projects is not affected.