Lucknow: Unhappy with "lack of progress" in
health and power sector in the state, Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister Mayawati today warned the officials of the two
departments to improve their functioning or else "the
government will be forced to look for other alternatives".
She specially noted the improvement in power distribution
in Agra after the job was handed over to a private group and
said a "last chance" was being given to Power Department
employees to work for betterment of its financial position.
The Chief Minister, who reviewed the functioning of the
two departments, issued the "last warning" to officials to
bring an improvement in their work culture, an official
statement said here.
Issuing directives to ensure availability of power as per
the roster both in the urban and rural areas, Mayawati said
any laxity on this count would be taken seriously and erring
officials would be dealt with sternly.
Directing the officials to give a fresh momentum in the
drive to check power pilferage, she said that stern action
upto dismissal should also be ensured of the Power Department
staff assisting in electricity theft, the statement said.
Expressing concern over huge losses suffered by the state
power corporation, she cited the cases of Agra and Kanpur
where private sector had been involved and said a "last
chance" was being given to Power Department staff to work
towards improving the financial position failing which the
government would be "forced to look for other alternatives".
Stressing that 7000 to 8000 MW power was being supplied
this summer which was almost 30 per cent more than the last
few years during this season, Mayawati said her government was
working towards its goal to improve generation in the state to
25 thousand MW by 2017.
The Chief Minister said that private investors have also
shown interest in the power sector under which agreements have
been signed for 5000 MW and expressed satisfaction over the
improvement seen in Agra after distribution was handed over to
a private group.
While reviewing the working in government hospitals,
Mayawati expressed dissatisfaction that despite all efforts,
expected improvement has not been seen and issued directives
for improving services there, according to the statement.
While directing the officials for taking steps to check
infectious diseases during monsoon, she said as of now, the
process of handing over four district hospitals and two
community health centres to the private sector has been put on
hold. She said that the progress of the health department will
be reviewed on a monthly basis.
Stressing that medical health and power were among the
top priorities of her government, Mayawati said that she had
issued the "last warning" to the staff of both these
departments to improve their working "or else the government
would look for other alternatives".
PTI
