Cong blames Mulayam for ''politics'' over power crisis

Lucknow, May 12 (UNI) The Congress today blamed the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh for playing ''politics'' over the power crisis even as it blamed the state dispensation for its inefficient functioning behind power shortage.

''Mulayam regime's attitude towards the centre over power crisis is biased as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) has never ignored UP in any front,'' Congress legislature party leader Pramod Tiwari said.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr Tiwari said the centre was actually giving about 16 to 25 per cent more power to UP than its quota, but UP is putting all the blame on the Congress government at the centre for the crisis. ''Northern grid is giving power to the tune of 3,897-4014 Mw to UP from time to time.'' Claiming the power crisis was only due to the inefficiency of the state government, Mr Tiwari said the Plant Load Factor (PLF) of the thermal and hydro power plant is only about 60 per cent, which is less than the national average.

''Under the APDRP scheme, the centre has given Rs 1091.30 crore for strengthening the transmission and distribution network, but UP could utilise only Rs 345.62 crore in the last three yrs.'' UNI NAB/MB VS VD KN1906