Free power connections for Dalit villages in U.P.
Sept.8 2009, The Hindu

Directive to complete electrification of 2,195 Ambedkar villages

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Government has directed UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) to provide free power connections to Dalit localities in Ambedkar villages of the state.

“A circular will be issued to the officers directing them to issue free power connections to the Dalit localities in Ambedkar villages,” Energy Minister Ramveer Upadhyaya said at a review meeting held here .

Directing the officials to complete electrification of 2,195 Ambedkar villages, he said that system of replacing damaged transformers in rural areas should be made simple and more transparent.

“Power supply in rural areas should be ensured as per the roster and overloading of sub-stations should not be taken as an excuse,” he said.

“If rostering was done in any area on the pretext of overloading even after the up gradation, action will be taken against the concerned officers,” he said.

Directing the officers to check power pilferage, the Minister said that it was unfortunate that ATC losses were increasing despite repeated instructions.

He directed the chief engineers to identify areas having maximum line losses.

Line losses

“Several districts like Hapur, Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Mainpuri, Bulandshahr, Jhansi and Bareilly are having line losses of more than 50 per cent which is a cause of concern,” he said.- PTI