Wrong policies responsible for higher power tariff'
TNN 6 January 2010

KANPUR: The statement by Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited that proposed rise in power rates in the state is a result of increased expenses on salary to its employees as per the sixth pay commission, has antagonised the `Vidyut Karamchari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti'. They have termed this statement of power corporation as `misleading'.

The members of the samiti have raised a strong objection in this regard and said that the planned hike in the prices of the electricity is due to the wrong policies administered by the state government and therefore, the sixth pay commission should not be dragged into the equation.

Shailendra Dubey, A K Singh, Om Prakash Pandey and other senior members of the samiti were unanimous that the power corporation is planning to increase the rates of the electricity as it wants to meet the heavy losses incurred so far.

"In 2009-10, total expenditure borne by power corporation is Rs 22,745 crore, out of which 1,071 crore is being spent on the salaries of the employees, which was Rs 766 crore in the year 2008-09. This way only Rs 305 crore extra has been spent by the government in terms of the salaries and this is just 1.34 per cent of the total expenditure of Rs 22,745 crore. It is completely wrong and disappointing to mention sixth pay commission as the reason behind the increase in the price of the power in the state," said Shailendra Dubey, media coordinator of UPPCL, while talking to TOI.

The officials of the samiti further stated that in 2009-10, power worth Rs 15,795 crore is to be purchased, which is Rs 1,235 crore more than 2008-09. This increased purchase of power is due to the lack of foresight and the casual approach of the state government.

They also mentioned that in the past 15 years, no new power house has been set up in the state. On the other hand, the power demand has increased manifold to 5,000 Mw, due to the lackadaisical attitude of the government.

"The weak policies of the government has made the situation worse as the annual losses of the power corporation have increased to Rs 8,500 crore from Rs 500 crore in 2000. Therefore, it's high time now that the government looks into the matter seriously," said Dubey