Power tariff may be hiked in UP

Lucknow: Newly elected Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati said she may increase the power tariff.

She asked state government offices to switch on compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) for saving energy and outlined steps to raise electricity generation capacity for bridging the demand-supply gap.

Mayawati said the state was passing through a serious power crisis and said the demand for power had risen to 8,500 MW while supply was confined to 6,500 MW.

She noted that different power sector utilities in the state had incurred a loss of Rs5,500 crore till last year and added that the government intended to rationalise power tariffs.

Mayawati said the government would make use of CFLs compulsory in all public offices and would provide incentives to public for using such lamps.

She also outlined measures to be taken by her government for augmenting generation capacity through public sector, joint ventures and private players.