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The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘PMO man' AK Sharma back in spotlight but for the wrong reasons, from UP power cuts to viral rants
It was on Wednesday that Sharma called the meeting with the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited engineers deployed across the state and UPPCL Chair Ashish Kumar Goyal. After hearing what the officials had to say, the power minister harshly criticised them, saying their version of the power situation was far from the reality in UP. Earlier, videos of a power cut at one of his public events attracted a barrage of snide remarks against him. Another video showing Sharma chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' when questioned about frequent outages came under Opposition attack recently. More than once, Sharma has also been caught on camera unable to respond to people complaining about the gaps in UP's electricity supply network. Not only as power minister but also as urban development minister of UP, Sharma has been facing protests. On a 19 July visit to the Banke Bihari temple in Mathura's Vrindavan, he faced a protest by local traders opposing the BJP-proposed temple corridor and trust formation in their area. The protests had started nearly 50 days earlier, but the traders raised their voices on seeing the minister, shouting slogans such as 'corridor hai-hai'. Reports of tensions and misbehaviour by the police towards women protesters followed. Also Read: CRPF jawan assaulted at UP station: Three Kanwariyas arrested, later granted bail Meeting with power officials The latest videos from his meeting with the power department officials show A.K. Sharma claiming that MLAs have been criticising him as the minister in charge of the power portfolio due to frequent outages in UP. Based on recent visits to various districts to check the situation on the ground, he also claimed to have found several power supply issues. 'Stop speaking nonsense,' Sharma told officials. 'I have just returned after visiting several districts. You are sitting here, blind, deaf, and with one eye open. What the public has been going through or what they think about your department, you do not know. You are sending fake reports and misleading the top leadership.' The minister said the condition of the power department was worse than that of the police department. 'The electricity department is not a money-lender shop that only collects bill payments but is meant to serve the people,' he said, questioning why the department cuts off entire feeders or village power lines even though some consumers continue to pay their electricity bills on time. 'What kind of justice is this if you do not replace or upgrade burnt transformers for those who are paying?' He did not stop there. 'It looks like the power department is working to ruin our (state government) image. Today, in this digital age, people are getting power bills in crores, allegedly by mistake, and then they have to pay bribes to get the bills corrected. Vigilance raids are conducted at the wrong places, whereas large-scale power theft goes unchecked, and complaints to the police are made only after taking money,' Sharma added. Urging officials to record everything discussed in the meeting, Sharma further said, 'I am tired of just giving speeches. You people, hear us in the meetings, but then act on your own accord. This trend can not continue. I am answerable to the public and the assembly. Who gave you the right to make random decisions? The entire state is suffering because of your poor and untimely actions.' The video of this meeting is circulating on social media, but Sharma had more to say. The next day, he had a warning for senior officials with the electricity department. 'I explained it for three years, but now, that time is over. If the officers in the electricity department think the minister can not transfer or suspend, understand that if I shoot an arrow like Ram ji, no one—from Delhi to Rashtrapati Bhavan—will be able to save you,' Sharma said Thursday. Viral videos & criticisms Officials in the power department told ThePrint that A.K. Sharma, frustrated with the constant criticism he faced in the districts he visited as well as on social media, reacted the way he did at the meeting Wednesday. Due to the frequent outages in UP, Sharma has come under heavy criticism from local leaders and traders. On 20 July, at a public event he attended in Moradabad late on Sunday night, the electricity went off, with social media widely ridiculing the viral video of the moment. Several other viral videos show people confronting the minister about recurring power cuts in their localities. In many of the cases, Sharma had no answers to offer. Earlier, on 12 July, a video went viral showing Sharma chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' when confronted by people questioning him over electricity supply issues. The video sparked widespread criticism from the Opposition. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav shared the clip, along with his reaction, on the social media platform, X. 'Now, the electricity department will sell in the BJP market, and the huge bills of private companies will make a dent in the pockets of the public. Under BJP rule, there has been no improvement in power generation, transmission, or distribution. When the public questions this, BJP leaders have no answers; their power goes off too.' Sharma also faced criticism when, in the context of Bihar leaders promising free electricity units before the assembly elections, he commented on 19 July, 'Na bijli ayegi na bill (neither will there be electricity nor will there be bills).' Since his statement came shortly after the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government announced its free electricity scheme, many interpreted it as a sarcastic dig at what was announced by the Bihar CM, whose party is a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Later, issuing a clarification, Sharma had to say that he had not been attacking BJP ally Janata Dal United, but the Rashtriya Janata Dal. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has also promised free electricity units if his party wins the polls. Also Read: Why are BJP leaders going after bureaucracy in Yogi's UP His journey & clarifications A.K. Sharma joined the BJP in January 2021 and was made a UP cabinet minister in March 2022 when Yogi Adityanath took office as the UP chief minister for his second term. Seen as the PMO man in the UP government, Sharma and Yogi have hardly been seen in the same frame at official meetings. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, however, has never publicly commented on Sharma's working style. Sharma's PMO links go back to when he became joint secretary at the office in 2014, followed by his promotion to the rank of additional secretary in 2017. In April 2020, during the peak of the migrant crisis amid the COVID-19 lockdown, Sharma was appointed the secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. Just nine months later, he took voluntary retirement and entered politics. Once in UP, Yogi gave him two key departments—power and urban development. A BJP MLA from western UP told ThePrint, 'Sharma ji is an intelligent person, but his working style is more like that of a civil servant. He rarely picks up calls. He manages everything through his team. But in politics, direct contact with local leaders and the public is important.' A senior official in the power department, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, 'Sharma ji understands the system well and gets respect for it. But many hesitate to approach him due to the notion that he is someone very close to the PMO. Moreover, the Chief Minister's Office has control over the power department. Officials have direct access to the CMO.' When ThePrint attempted to contact Sharma, his office said that he was unavailable to comment on the matter. On Thursday evening, Sharma, however, posted a clarification on X, asserting the public had misjudged his comments at his meeting with the power officials, in a bid to dismiss an ongoing social media controversy around the targeting of Baniyas. Sharma clarified that he did say a few things to ensure that the handling of public services such as power supply became sensitive and better for the 'common man and poor' as well as that 'which meets public expectations'. 'Among other things, I said we are running a public utility. We are not running a merchant shop where if you do not pay, you will not get the goods.' Sharma said that the public thought he chided the power officials saying they were not running a Baniya shop, where goods are handed out only after payment. The public, he said, wrongly linked his statement to the honesty/dishonesty of the merchant or Vaishya community. Requesting that people listen to the audio carefully, Sharma reiterated that he did not say, nor did he intend to say, what the public had widely thought. Sharma also said that people should hear his speech from his perspective, considering his sentiments, against the backdrop of the failures of his department. 'This is a public service… we will have to behave accordingly.' 'Baniya does not mean any particular class. It was only said to point out the difference between public service or public utility, and commercial or business venture,' he added. Sharma's post ended, asserting that the 'Mahajan, Vaishya, or Baniya class has a place both important and prestigious in society'. 'They have a high place in Indian society and culture since ancient times. I respect them completely. Knowingly or unknowingly, there was no intention to insult them in any way. Nor can there be.' (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Rise & rise of Rajeev Shukla—Kanpur reporter & 'everyone's best friend', next in line to lead BCCI
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Power staff's appeal to govt: Stall move to privatise discoms
Lucknow: A day after Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) chairman Ashish Kumar Goel said that the govt will privatise two out of five discoms, the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) issued a strong appeal to the central and state govts to halt the move. It also warned of nationwide protests if the privatisation move continues in UP. The call was made during the AIPEF Federal Council meeting held in Lucknow, chaired by Shailendra Dubey, with participation from senior office bearers across multiple states. The federation emphasised that privatisation threatens the interests of farmers and poor consumers and undermines the public sector's role in ensuring equitable power distribution. Citing Odisha's failed privatisation experiments—including the cancellation of Reliance Power's licences and recent notices to Tata Power companies for poor service—AIPEF argued that privatisation consistently failed to deliver. In UP, AIPEF alleged collusion with corporate houses, pointing to irregularities in the privatisation process, including the appointment of Grant Thornton as a consultant despite its penalised record in the US. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why enterprise networks need both reach and resilience NetworkWorld | Tata Communications Undo The federation condemned the preparation of privatisation documents without proper asset valuation, potentially risking public assets worth over Rs 1 lakh crore. In Maharashtra, AIPEF criticised the "parallel license" model as a strategy to privatise profits, demanding its immediate cancellation. AIPEF also opposed privatisation in transmission and generation sectors, warning that tariff-based competitive bidding and joint ventures would lead to higher costs for consumers. It condemned the "repression of power employees through transfers, salary stoppages, and FIRs against union leaders". It demanded the withdrawal of these actions and urged consumers to support electricity workers in resisting privatisation. Representatives from power engineer associations across 20 states attended the meeting, signalling a united front against privatisation and a commitment to preserving the public character of India's power sector.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UPPCL suspends Varanasi chief engineer over poor power supply
The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has suspended the chief engineer (Zone-2), Varanasi, for failing to perform his duties effectively. The decision was taken during a video conference chaired by UPPCL chairman Ashish Goel to review power distribution across regions. Reviewing the performance of power distribution corporations, UPPCL chairman Ashish Goel stressed intensified efforts to curb electricity theft and ensure timely billing. (FOR REPRESENTATION) The action followed unsatisfactory responses from the chief engineer regarding poor power supply in Badlapur. When questioned, he attributed the problem to incomplete work under the 2024 business plan, citing non-availability of materials. However, he failed to confirm whether he had checked the material status on the ERP system. Upon further enquiry, he admitted he lacked ERP proficiency, prompting the decision to suspend him. Additionally, the superintending engineer and executive engineer of the area have been charge-sheeted. Goel emphasised that, amid the current heat and humidity, special attention must be paid to uninterrupted power supply. He instructed officials to promptly address local faults and keep consumers well-informed through various channels to avoid confusion or panic. Reviewing the performance of power distribution corporations, he stressed intensified efforts to curb electricity theft and ensure timely billing. Consumers must receive accurate bills and any complaints regarding incorrect billing should be resolved immediately, he said. He directed that, given the high temperatures, no routine shutdowns should be scheduled, and power cuts must be avoided. The chairman instructed all officers to stay present in their respective areas, maintain strong public communication and create WhatsApp groups involving public representatives, media personnel, consumers and social workers to share important updates related to power supply. He also urged senior officials to personally visit and resolve issues in high-disruption zones. Goel warned that anyone disrupting power supply would face dismissal. Even peaceful protests should not interfere with essential services like electricity. If a breakdown is caused intentionally, the person responsible will be terminated, he said. Those participating in strikes and not performing duties will face a 'no work, no pay' policy. He further directed installation of meters on LMV-10 connections (power department employees) to facilitate energy accounting, assuring that existing benefits would remain unaffected
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
UP-MP to prioritise BESS to meet peak power demand
Jun 25, 2025 07:42 PM IST With an eye on strengthening grid stability and managing evening peak loads through integrated storage solutions, key stakeholders from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh held a high-level meeting at the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) headquarters here on Wednesday to review progress on the MP-UP Complementary Morena Solar Park project. Technical and commercial aspects, especially optimal storage configurations, were discussed in detail in the meeting. (For representation) The meeting focused on refining bid documents for the ambitious solar initiative, which includes critical solar generation and battery energy storage components. The goal is to harness solar power more effectively while ensuring a stable, flexible power supply during high-demand hours, officials said. Discussions covered two main components -- the MP-UP Complementary Morena Solar (Vanilla) Park, and MP-UP Complementary Storage projects. Technical and commercial aspects, especially optimal storage configurations, were discussed in detail. A consensus emerged around prioritising battery energy storage systems (BESS) for their rapid deployment potential and ability to meet peak-hour power demand effectively, officials said. The Madhya Pradesh delegation was led by Manu Shrivastava, additional chief secretary of the new and renewable energy department, and chairman of Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL). He was accompanied by Amanbir Singh Bains, managing director of MP Urja Vikas Nigam (MPUVN) and director at RUMSL, along with other senior RUMSL officials. Uttar Pradesh was represented by UPPCL chairman Ashish Goel, managing director Pankaj Kumar, and Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) director Indrajit Singh.
News18
17-06-2025
- Business
- News18
UP Records Highest Power Consumption In India Amid Heatwave
Last Updated: The state's power demand reached an unprecedented 31,347 megawatts (MW) on the night of June 11–12, surpassing its own record set just two days earlier. Amid rising temperatures – 46.2°C in Banda and over 45°C in Kanpur, Lucknow, and other districts – Uttar Pradesh has set a record for the highest-ever power consumption in India, outstripping industrially developed states like Maharashtra and Gujarat. The state's power demand reached an unprecedented 31,347 megawatts (MW) on the night of June 11–12, surpassing its own record set just two days earlier. According to Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), this figure exceeded the June 9 record of 31,104 MW, which had earlier eclipsed the previous peaks of 30,161 MW on June 8 and 29,502 MW on June 7. Last year, the peak demand reached 30,618 MW on June 13. With the current trajectory continuing upward, power officials estimate that demand could soon cross 33,000 MW, likely within June. UP Surpasses Maharashtra, Gujarat in Peak Power Demand UP Energy Minister AK Sharma announced on June 10 that Uttar Pradesh's electricity supply had surpassed major power-consuming states such as Maharashtra (25,191 MW), Gujarat (25,230 MW), Tamil Nadu (17,867 MW), Rajasthan (16,562 MW), and Punjab (15,508 MW). Until the previous year, Maharashtra led in peak power demand, with UP trailing significantly. However, UP has now surged ahead. On June 6, 7, and 8, UP's supply figures of 28,581 MW, 29,502 MW, and 30,161 MW already exceeded the maximum consumption levels of many other Indian states. 'This reflects not only the increasing demand due to the extreme heat but also the robustness of UP's upgraded transmission and distribution system, which has enabled uninterrupted power delivery even under record-breaking load," Sharma said. Interestingly, the over 31,000 MW of demand currently being met is restricted demand and does not represent the full potential load. Many consumer categories—especially in rural areas, semi-urban towns, and smaller cities—still do not receive 24-hour power supply, with availability ranging from 18 to 20 hours. Official figures show that rural areas receive an average of 18.32 hours of power, while district headquarters, industrial zones, and major cities like Lucknow enjoy uninterrupted supply. UPPCL chairman Ashish Kumar Goel attributed the continued demand spike to a combination of high daytime temperatures and extreme nighttime humidity, which has led to round-the-clock usage of air conditioners, coolers, and other cooling appliances. 'The surge is also an indicator of rising prosperity, with more households able to afford energy-intensive appliances," Goel said. He added that the number of electricity connections in UP has also grown significantly over the past decade. Power Use Doubles in 12 Years; Over 34,000 MUs Consumed This Quarter The state's energy consumption reflects this rising trend. Annual power usage in UP jumped from 81,598 million units (MUs) in 2013-14 to 1,63,852 MUs in 2023-24, more than doubling in 12 years. From April to June 10 of the current financial year, 34,676 MUs have already been consumed, suggesting that the overall annual figure is likely to break previous records once again. Peak demand in MW terms has also doubled from 15,670 MW in 2013-14 to over 31,000 MW in June 2025. Unlike the past, where there used to be a peak deficit of 2,000 MW, the state today is meeting demand without any major shortfalls. UP Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (UPPTCL) Managing Director Rupesh Kumar said, 'We've anticipated that the peak demand could rise to 32,000–35,000 MW this summer. Given the current trend, we might hit 33,000 MW much earlier than expected." No Load Shedding Despite Record Demand Despite the extraordinary pressure on the grid, power officials claim that the state is managing the load efficiently. 'We have ramped up supply from multiple sources, including central allocation and private sector generation, and are maintaining grid stability without the need for emergency load-shedding," UPPCL chairman Goel said. However, he appealed to consumers to ensure timely payment of electricity bills to support uninterrupted supply and grid health. The state's success in handling peak demand has been made possible by massive infrastructure improvements over the past three years. These include capacity augmentation of transmission lines, installation of high-capacity transformers, establishment of new substations, and replacement of aging conductors and poles. 'This has drastically reduced incidents of low voltage, tripping, and transformer burnout," said Minister Sharma. Lucknow Logs Highest-Ever City-Level Power Demand The extreme weather has affected Lucknow as well, which on June 10 recorded its highest-ever electricity demand of 1,940.33 MW. This surpassed the previous record of 1,937.42 MW from June 18, 2023, and reflects a year-on-year increase of 10.24% in peak demand. In the run-up to this record, the city's demand steadily climbed from 1,463.92 MW on June 5 to 1,805.81 MW on June 9. The Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) reported over 5,000 complaints related to supply disruptions on Tuesday night alone, highlighting the immense stress on the urban power infrastructure. Akhilesh Yadav Slams BJP for Power Crisis, Image Campaigns Reacting to the ongoing power situation, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, accusing it of failing to expand electricity production in the state. 'The SP government had installed power plants to promote electricity generation. Today, demand has touched 32,000 MW but in the last eight years, the BJP government hasn't added even a single unit to production," Yadav said in a recent statement. The former chief minister alleged that while demand had soared, the BJP was more focused on negative politics. 'The BJP runs campaigns to tarnish the image of opposition leaders, harasses innocents with false cases, and has completely neglected issues like the pathetic condition of cows in gaushalas," he said. Addressing SP workers in Lucknow, Akhilesh further alleged that the BJP wants to create anarchy ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. 'The government has failed to manage law and order. In 2027, BJP will be wiped out from Uttar Pradesh, and the Samajwadi Party government will return," he asserted. Employees Continue Protest But Maintain Services Meanwhile, the UP Vidyut Karmchari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, which has been protesting against the proposed privatisation of power distribution in 42 districts for nearly 200 days, reiterated that their employees remain committed to maintaining uninterrupted supply. 'Even during agitation, our engineers and workers are doing everything to ensure consumers face no disruption," said convenor Shailendra Dubey. Officials, however, noted that with no immediate relief expected from the heat and monsoon still days away, the real test of the power sector lies ahead. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : power demand uttar pradesh Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: June 17, 2025, 16:20 IST News india UP Records Highest Power Consumption In India Amid Heatwave
