UP demandS 1000 MW additional power from centre to meet the crisis

Lucknow, Feb 19 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government has demanded 1000 MW of electricity from the Central sector ahead of examination and crushing season to make up for the shortfall in power generation in the state.

''There is a gap of 1000 MW and 1500 MW between demand and supply in the state and the Union Power Minister has been asked to give 1000 MW of power daily to meet the requirement,'' UP Power Minister Ramveer Upadhyaya told the state Assmebly here today.

Replying to the concern raised through an adjournment motion brought by the Congress members in the House , the Power Minister said even if the state got 500 MW of power daily, the power scenario could be improved. He said the government was well aware of the fact that examination and crushing season was ahead and the proper power supply was need of the hour.

He said the BSP government in the state had initiated several projects which would make the state power surplus in three years time. ''.. but at the same time the present power crunch would be dealt through import of power from the central pool and improving the capacity utilisation in the state-run power plants.

Earlier, the Congress members said the power scenario in the state was very bleak and students, farmers and common men were facing much problem due to this.

UNI SB MB SP VC1645