Meeting Called to Break the Deadlock Remains Inconclusive

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) management and the UP Vidyut Karmchari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, a body representing power sector employees and engineers, remained at odds over the proposed privatisation and reform measures in 42 districts under Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal discoms, with both sides presenting contrasting views during a meeting at Shakti Bhawan here on Monday.

- HT Correspondent

LUCKNOW:

UPPCL chairman Ashish Kumar Goel called the meeting in a bid to break the deadlock that had been continuing for last six months since the government decided to privatise the two discoms triggering stiff opposition from employees.

While Goel, in the meeting, emphasised the urgent need for reforms to curb mounting losses, the employees' leaders asserted that privatisation experiments in Agra, Greater Noida and Odisha had proven unsuccessful and should not be imposed on the financially vulnerable consumers of Uttar Pradesh.

Goel, according to the UPPCL spokesman, pointed out that the state's power distribution sector was reeling under severe financial stress, with subsidy and loss funding escalating from Rs 8,000 crore in 2020-21 to an estimated Rs 46,000 crore in 2024-25.

"If corrective measures are not taken, this could soar to Rs 60,000-65,000 crore by 2026-27," he warned.