- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Wed, 25 Jun 2025 01:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The draft proposal for the privatisation of electricity services in 42 districts of Uttar Pradesh has come under scrutiny, with the Electricity Regulatory Commission flagging serious financial discrepancies in the balance sheet submitted for the process.
According to Awadhesh Kumar Verma, President of the Electricity Consumer Council, the balance sheet violates the provisions of the Multi-Year Tariff Regulation-2025. He alleged that arbitrary and manipulated figures have been used to benefit private players.
The council claims that crucial data from the Electricity Regulatory Commission was ignored, and instead, the balance sheet was prepared using outdated financial data from 2023–24, despite being for the fiscal year 2024–25.
Further allegations include misrepresenting consumer deposits under the Cost Data Book and government grants as assets to inflate the balance sheet’s value. Verma has demanded strict action against the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation officials responsible for the discrepancies.
Meanwhile, the Vidyut Karamchari Samyukta Sangharsh Samiti has called for a CBI investigation into what they describe as a potential scam linked to corporate collusion in the privatisation push. The Samiti has urged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to immediately halt the privatisation process, warning that public power assets worth lakhs of crores are at stake. They also vowed to continue their protest until the plan is withdrawn.
Amid growing opposition, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Chairman Dr Ashish Kumar Goyal took a firm stand during a recent review meeting. Addressing employees reportedly participating in agitation, he said that individuals attempting to disrupt the power supply through protests such as the Jail Bharo Andolan should decide whether they want to work responsibly or go to jail.
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He particularly expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of Paschimanchal and Madhyanchal Discoms, noting that these are not part of the privatisation move. The Chairman warned of strict action against employees showing negligence in these zones.