VIP visits reason for uninterrupted power supply to 6 districts: UPPCL tells HC

The UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has informed the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court that uninterrupted 24-hour power supply was being ensured in six districts - Etawah, Mainpuri, Kannauj, Rampur, Rae Bareli and Amethi - because of routine visits by VIPs there.

UPPCL stated this in a note, attached with the roster of power supply in the state, which has been submitted in response to an order issued by the court on a PIL, filed by the Hindu Personal Law Board, challenging 24-hour uninterrupted power supply to certain districts.

On Tuesday, the bench comprising Chief Justice Amitava Lala and Justice Anil Kumar directed UPPCL to file a counter affidavit by September 19 and listed the case for next hearing on September 24.

The respondent's counsel senior advocate S K Kalia said, "A separate note along with the roster of power supply was submitted in the court today. Routine visits of VIPs was one of the reasons given in the note for uninterrupted supply in these six districts."

Kalia said that there are more reasons for the uninterrupted power supply in these districts and a detailed affidavit will be filed by September 19.

The petitioner's counsel Ashok Pandey said he prayed the court to direct the respondents, including UPPCL and the state of UP, to withdraw the orders for uninterrupted power supply in these six districts.

He also prayed the court to issue directives to ensure uninterrupted 24-hour power supply to pilgrimage centres such as Prayag (Allahabad), Ayodhya, Kashi (Varanasi), Mathura, Vrindavan, Naimish, Vindhyachal and Chitrakoot as a large number of pilgrims and tourists from across the world visit these places daily and power cuts there malign the image of the state.

The petition says that uninterrupted power supply to certain select districts was highly unreasonable, unjust and improper.

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