Charged up after PM power talk

No sooner was the almost three-hour video-conferencing over when Mulayam called in the entire workforce of the power department and asked them to draw up a blueprint. The CM’s prod had its effect — sources said the department was abuzz through the day, planning the programme in more than a dozen districts besides putting together an electronic system so the CM could inaugurate the scheme from his 5 Kali Marg residence.

At the conference, Mulayam put up a development package for the state saying electrification of villages was not sufficient as people also required an earning to pay power bills.

Ridiculing the Congress’ ‘Garibi hatao’ slogan, Mulayam said the correct slogan was : ‘‘Berozgari hatao’’.

The Chief Minister also claimed that UP would become self-reliant on power needs in the next two years. He told the PM that UP was not aiming to provide electricity to only major villages but also small and remote ones in three years.