Uttar Pradesh not at fault for grid failure: Akhilesh

Lucknow: Rejecting the Centre’s claim that states were to be blamed for the power crisis, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said it was not right to blame Uttar Pradesh for the recent grid failure. “It is a matter of investigation…it is not right to blame Uttar Pradesh for grid failure,” Akhilesh told reporters after laying the foundation of various projects in Lucknow.[caption id=“attachment_400140” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Not at fault for grid failure. PTI[/caption] Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had on Tuesday said some states were drawing electricity over and above their limits. Admitting that power crisis was a major concern, Akhilesh, however, said the Samajwadi government should not be blamed for it. “What the previous government (Mayawati regime) did in this sector is a big question…till production is not increased, this problem cannot be solved,” he said, adding that the power distribution system, transformers and lines were in a dismal state and his government has initiated strong measures to rectify them. The chief minister also said the previous Samajwadi regime had worked in this area and two big power houses, including one at Roza, was installed. Noting that power generation would be increased with the help of Centre, Akhilesh said work on co-generation and solar energy was also being taken up. “It is because of the previous SP government that 700 MW of energy is being produced through co-generation,” he said. Work is also on to increase solar power generation through private partnership, he added. The chief minister said that a solar policy would be brought soon and there is immense scope for this sector in the Bundelkhand area. PTI